UK set to unveil casino plans

The British government is set to formally lay out plans for 16 large casinos across the country on tomorrow, according to industry…

The British government is set to formally lay out plans for 16 large casinos across the country on tomorrow, according to industry and political sources.

An industry source said the government would give details on the regulation of the new casinos, including the number of slot machines and gaming tables to be allowed.

Sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe will make the announcement in parliament, a political source said.

The announcement should end talk about a so-called supercasino, which had been set to be built in Manchester before plans were effectively shelved by Gordon Brown last July, shortly after he became Prime Minister.

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He said there should be better ways to regenerate the area and launched a review of casino policy, which will result in tomorrow's statement.

Manchester had won a competition to host a Las Vegas-style casino as part of plans under former Prime Minister Tony Blair for more casinos to help regenerate deprived neighbourhoods.

But politicians, led by church leaders in the House of Lords rejected the plan for following months of lobbying by campaigners against gambling addiction.