MANCHESTER United are in talks to build a huge casino next to Old Trafford.

Club bosses are consulting with Trafford Council and a US casino giant with a view to applying for one of the eight mega-casino licences which will become available under the Gambling Bill.

The reds will be pitted against a rival bid for a mega-casino at Eastlands, next to the City of Manchester Stadium.

Salford Reds pulled out of the race when they scaled down their casino plans but Blackpool want to build a Las Vegas-style complex.

An independent panel will recommended which eight mega-casinos across the country should get the go-ahead with Culture secretary Tessa Jowell taking the final decision.

An insider at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the M.E.N: "It is extremely unlikely that Manchester would be chosen for two casinos."

It is understood the club is in talks with Las Vegas Sands, a major casino operator in America trying to enter the British gambling market when the laws have been liberalised. The company owns the $1.5bn Venetian Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.

A high-ranking insider at Trafford Council, which would be required to support a bid under the new rules, told the M.E.N: "We are talking with Manchester United about their plans."

If built, the casino will be just north of the stadium in Trafford Park.

Possibilities

United spokesman Phil Townsend explained: "We are looking at all possibilities to take the business forward. It's way too early to start talking about applying for licences which don't exist yet.

"No decisions have been made. We are looking at any possibilities there may be in the proposed changes to the legislation."

Casino operators originally favoured Manchester, and particularly Eastlands, because of the huge year-round market. But the government's decision to cap the number of mega-casinos to eight has changed the odds dramatically.

Adam Thomas, boss of City Red Developments who are hoping to build a standard-sized casino at Salford Reds stadium in Barton, said: "We believe that there should be three or four casinos in Greater Manchester."

"The government is saying there should only be one super casino in the North West.

"We believe rival casinos should able to compete against each other.

"Once the government makes a decision and the legislation is in place we would be pitching for one to be attached to our stadium scheme."

He said he did not believe the United bid would jeopardise the Salford plans.

The legislation is supposed to modernise the gambling lawwhich dates back to the 18th century.

If, as expected, the bill becomes law, the government anticipates the first of the new licence applications can be made towards the end of next year.

What do you think of plans for a casino next to Old Trafford? Have your say.