Government unveils new casino locations
The Government has confirmed the locations for 16 regional casinos replacing the proposed supercasino site in Manchester.
However all of the large casino sites will be forbidden from taking advantage of 24-hour licensing laws.
After the plug was controversially pulled on the supercasino site in Manchester earlier this week, Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton have been named as large casino destinations.
Small casinos will be housed in Bath, Wigtown licensing area in Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham said he would prevent any of the 16 regional casinos from opening for 24 hours.
"I believe it is a good principle that all casinos are subject to a period of closure every day, when individuals are required to leave the premises.
"Currently, casinos are prevented from offering gambling more than 24 hours unless they apply to local authorities for an extension. But I wish to rule out the possibility that some may remain open round the clock by closing their doors for at least six hours," said Burnham.
The City of Manchester has threatened to take the Government to court after it spent £240,000 of council tax payers' money on winning the supercasino bid, which would have generated £265m for the regional economy and up to 3,000 hospitality jobs.
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By Christopher Walton
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