Manchester won’t be getting a Golden Nugget-sized “supercasino” anytime soon, thanks to the House of Lords (not the Sahara’s quondam steakhouse). From the Sun:
PLANS to build Britain’s first supercasino in Manchester were THROWN OUT by the House of Lords yesterday.
In a disaster for Prime Minister Tony Blair and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, peers blocked the Government’s Gambling Order by 123 votes to 120.
The shock result leaves the vision of Las Vegas-style casinos in Britain in tatters. And plans for 16 smaller casinos are also on hold.
Ms Jowell won’t put a fresh order before Parliament until at least May.
Any new scheme is not likely to come to Parliament until after Chancellor Gordon Brown has taken over as Prime Minister — and he is lukewarm about the supercasino plans.
Ministers had heralded the plans to allow unlimited jackpot machines and roulette tables in huge leisure complexes. Last month Manchester was the surprise choice by an independent panel for the first supercasino, beating Blackpool and London’s Millennium Dome.
I think this will actually open the door for more than one “supercasino” within the next few years.