Date fixed for crucial meeting on casino bids

A DATE has been set for a meeting to decide who gets the licence for Leeds’s biggest ever casino.

Leeds City Council bosses have previously only said a decision on the licence would be made some time this month.

Now, however, it has been confirmed that licensing chiefs will meet on Monday to run the rule over the two bids for the licence. The successful applicant will then be announced a week on Friday.

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Leeds United and a firm called Global Gaming Ventures (GGV) are the two bidders for the licence. United plan to incorporate the casino in a redeveloped West Stand at Elland Road if given the nod.

GGV, meanwhile, wants to make the attraction part of Leeds city centre’s Victoria Gate development – until recently known as the Eastgate Quarters. Leeds is one of only eight places nationwide given permission by the Government to license a so-called ‘large’ casino, which will be three times the size of the current UK norm.

Experts say the scheme could create more than 700 jobs and bring in around one million extra visitors to the city each year.

The council originally received five applications for the licence. Proposals that have fallen by the wayside included finding a place for the attraction in the redevelopment of the former Majestyk nightclub on City Square.

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Asked about next week’s meeting, a spokeswoman for the council said: “While we are involved in the current application process for the award of the large casino licence we are unable to provide any comments on any applications.”