Manchester hits casino jackpot

January 30, 2007

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MANCHESTER hit the jackpot with glittering plans for Britain's first Las Vegas-style super casino.

In a surprise move, the city beat rivals including Blackpool and the Dome in London with its £265m plan to regenerate a part of east Manchester with a gambling mecca which would offer up to 70 gaming tables and 1,250 slot machines with million pound prizes.

WATCH our video report on the win.

The independent Casino Advisory Panel , appointed by the government, chose Manchester from a shortlist of seven sites, also including Glasgow, Newcastle, Cardiff and Sheffield.

The decision marks an incredible turnaround after Manchester finished bottom of the provisional shortlist - bookmakers had made the city only a 15-1 chance.

But the decision is also a massive blow for Blackpool, which was hoping to transform the resort with the massive investment a super-casino would bring.

Media representatives were caught on the hop, with camera crews waiting expectantly in Blackpool and London for the verdict.

Manchester's successful bid promises 2,700 jobs at Sportcity in Beswick, near the City of Manchester Stadium. It will provide a hotel, a swimming pool, restaurants and bars. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is likely to welcome the decision in the Commons later today, despite fears the super-casino could lead to gambling and attract criminals and an opinion poll which gave the thumbs down to the plan for 17 new casinos.

Sizes

As well as the large `regional' casino there will be eight `large' casinos, with up to 150 gaming machines with jackpots up to £4,000 and eight `small' casinos with 80 machines.

Towns bidding for these sites included Brighton, Wolverhampton, Sefton on Merseyside and Scarborough. Manchester city council drew up the plans after it emerged the North West Development Agency and North West Regional Assembly were throwing their weight behind Blackpool's bid.

The other favourite, London's Greenwich bid, based on the former Millennium Dome, attracted criticism last year when it emerged Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott stayed at the US ranch of Dome owner Philip Anschutz.

Labour MP Nick Raynsford complained of a `campaign of vilification' against the plans to turn the Dome, which is in his constituency, into an entertainments complex.

There are 138 casinos operating in Britain and last year visitors exchanged £4 billion worth of gaming chips in them.

The government had originally planned for between 20 and 40 super-casinos to encourage the regeneration of run-down seaside resorts but, after opposition from Tories, Liberal Democrats and church leaders, the number was cut to just one `test' site.

'Strong case'

City chief executive Sir Howard Bernstein said: "We always had a very strong case and I think the turning point came during the examination in public.

"We showed we had the best overall offer, the best delivery capacity, the best test bed and we put our case well.

"It is just another stage in our journey. It will bring jobs and make the city a destination centre.

"The planning process will start immediately and I think we could be on site within 12 months and the casino operational within three years."

City council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "This is fantastic news for Manchester and the region.

"We have always believed that Manchester offers a robust test for the successful implementation of this major leisure and tourism development."

READ the Manchester proposal and see pictures here (pdf).

ARE you pleased the Supercasino is coming to Manchester? Have your say below.

* THE M.E.N will also bring you full analysis on the issues raised by the super casino in tomorrow's editions.

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Ms D, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:31)

Call me a cynic but I totally distrust this decision. Manchester wasn't even one of the favourites. I wonder if the powers that be in London have told Manchester M.P's and Councillors if they push through the congestion charges, they can have the casino ? Personally, I think Blackpool needed it more. I won't go in as I have no interest in gambling and the shady characters that casinos can attract. Then again, think of all the extra revenue that Manchester will make out of tourists driving here ! Surprise, surprise !

James, Altrincham (30/01/2007 at 11:33)

How on earth did we pull this one off?! It seems like we're getting everything these days. I'll be happy to see more money and regeneration in Manchester (as well as hopefully better Metrolink connections) but it really should have gone to Blackpool.

Al Capone, Atherton (30/01/2007 at 11:33)

There goes me wage packet.

FOB, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:33)

Oh dear, more money wasted now this has been granted.

chrissy jd, Cockneyland (30/01/2007 at 11:35)

Great result well done all concerned i can tell you there gutted down here in your capital ,good news for Man.City as its smack next door Hotels would be handy.

Marky, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:36)

Manchester is also second after London in crime - how is THIS going to help?

In any case, mancunians are going to need all their money for congestion charges!

PW, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:37)

Excellent News for those who move in these circles and have spare money to chuck about! Will there be bus stops outside? Just a thought. Everyone to his own, but gambling hard-earned money is not my cup of tea. Absolutely no use to the ordinary working people of Manchester who are about to have their lives turned upside down by the same authorities who are encouraging this.

Big Blue Doris, Lower Lymm (30/01/2007 at 11:38)

Well this is going to add to the traffic congestion charge debate isnt it?.draw the punters in but then they are blocking up our streets & using our roads so lets charge them to get here. 'You dont know what your doing.'

Chris, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:39)

It's OK - by the time it is built no-one will be able to afford to drive there anway! It will have to have good public-transport links either way eh councillors? It seems to me that Manchester is being used by Government to test unpopular ideas out on - what have we done to deserve this?

Ace Riley, manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:39)

I TOLD YOU ALL THIS WEEKS AGO THAT MANCHESTER WOULD GET THE CASINO? in east manchester that is why the land in east manchester wasnt buit on? This will really cause such a downturn in east manchester,We have enough problems in manchester without adding to problems?A sad day for east manchester.It will give east manchester a few jobs in the short term??

Jason Taylor, manchester city centre (30/01/2007 at 11:41)

OMG They are really going to go through with the congestion charge now!!!

Paul B, Glossop (30/01/2007 at 11:45)

Fantastic news, money well spent outside of London. Regeneration in NW England is long over due as we usually see the rug pulled from under us nine times out of ten. Will it create gambling addictions?.....Only if you let it get the better of you.

patrick, oldham (30/01/2007 at 11:45)

I would love to have seen John Prescott's face when he found out

Joe, Hulme (30/01/2007 at 11:48)

So,in Eastlands there will be two big sheds for loser's

Very Concerned, newton heath (30/01/2007 at 11:50)

My partner is a compulsive gambler and is struggling due to the lack of support that is available for people with a gambling addiction.

Yes there is GA but that isnt suitable for everyone and the meeting locations are limited. We cant affford private counselling and there is a long waiting list at the NHS for help.

Gambling Addiction is the same as any other addiction, it is an illness and treatment is needed. Millions is spent each year on helping people with alcohol and drug addictions yet nothing for gamblers - will this now change?

The temptation is always there and any excuse is found to get out to go and gamble. What help is going to be offered now this is on our doorstep?

My partner became addicted to gambling at a very young age. my fear now is the lack of facilities for younger people in this area will lead them to do the same.

Very concerned, Newton Heath

Give it a chance, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:51)

All you doubters who feel it will not bring genuine investment, jobs, development of all kinds, resonsible gaming regulation and further benefits to the city ........... wanna bet?

SWeePers, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:53)

I am setting up a new Gamblers anonymous for those who would like to join beforehand...

I'm the first member..

Colin W, Stockholm (30/01/2007 at 11:54)

The only good thing is that the money is being spent outside London, but doesnt Manchester have enough problems already?

Ace Riley, manchester (30/01/2007 at 11:54)

Well there goes the residents of manchesters democratic votes totally down the pan ? the MCC will now think they are totally fireproof. I can hear them now ,horray weve all got a job for another 40 years?. Well weve all got the council weve voted for ?Unless things start changing soon?,I can see yet another celebratory party at the ratepayers expence comming on? Mind you they will try and keep it quiet.???I just wonder who will run and own the licence(a british company) i doubt it ?

Shell, Blackley (30/01/2007 at 12:01)

Can see this being a bit lethal to people coming out of the match after a few drinks and spending more of their hard earned cash in the Casino. Think Blackpool would have been better suited lets face it that really is in need of a face lift as its a right dump now. Eastlands has already had a lot of investment.

Anthony, Gorton (30/01/2007 at 12:06)

Manchester's Labour Council are the flagship of New Labour and all that entails so i'm not suprised it's here, plenty of cronyism , knighthoods left right and centre but MCC are not interested in ordinary Mancs just profita nd control and no doubt they will put some spin round this like they normally do.

Very angry resident, Manchester (30/01/2007 at 12:06)

I am absolutely devastated. There has been no public consultation in this and I suspect the will not be. I object most strongly to this despicable blight and will join the inevitable campaign to kept this filthy out of our great city

Tomo, Droylsden (30/01/2007 at 12:08)

Living down the road and not being a gambler i probably only see the benefits of regeneration. Thought it was interesting though that Ashton New Road the main road that runs past it was the only one excluded from the Congestion Charge????

I Might Be Daft But Im Not Stupid, M9 (30/01/2007 at 12:08)

After watching the Channel 4 programme. Dispatches : Labours Addiction to Gambling.
Is this something to be pleased about?
This programme went to certain cities in the States where they have these Hotel/Casinos and behind all the glamour of it all, the FACTS are, they have created Poverty, Crime, Prostitution and all the other negative things Gambling Addiction and Crime brings on a HUGE scale. This is a victory for the politicians in London NOT the people of Manchester. If this is suppose to be a good thing for the people of the North West or Britain as a whole, the City of London would have won this bid hands down. Everything else ends up in London, why not this?
Also, unless Labour rushed through this new Gambling Act 2005. London didnt have the Money to build for the 2012 London Olympics...

Martin, Glossop (30/01/2007 at 12:08)

Regeneration of Blackpool would have got my vote.

Turning it in to a casino resort and a real 'destination' would have pulled it out of the 60's and secured its future as a European alternative to Vegas.

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