Aspers is a long-shot for the one regional casino licence presently on offer. Blackpool and Greenwich are the front runners but the company is bidding for Cardiff’s application. The result of the competition between seven local councils for one super casino will be revealed on 30 January, but Aspers has aspirations beyond the biggest prize.

Yarmouth is a likely winner of one of the 8 large casino licences to be granted. The Aspinalls Group joint venture with James Packer’s PBL has teamed up with the Yarmouth Pleasure Beach operator and developer in a bid to create a destination location adjacent to the Pleasure Beach, with cinemas, restaurants and casino. Yarmouth is hoping to be awarded a licence for a 1,500 sq m gaming area with up to 150 slot machines, creating jobs and a year-round attraction for visitors.

With smaller casino complexes in Newcastle, London and Swansea, Aspers is making a bid for 12 of the 16 available casino licences as well as for the big one in Cardiff. However, when the decision is announced Aspers will be just one of many operators applying to the local councils for the licence to operate.

As many councils seem to have already tied their flag to certain operators, the gaming industry waits to see how this will work legally, when a tender process should be conducted. Further legal problems may lie ahead over the monopoly status of the one mega casino and whether there will be grounds for appeal, whatever location is selected. (E-01.26.07)

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