Last February Bannatyne’s Casino was opened at the Quayside in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Under the existing laws of members only and no advertising the casino is doing well – over 5,000 members and turnover of £750,000 (US$1.3 million). Customers seem to appreciate the atmosphere of yesteryear when time spent at a casino meant fine dining and elegant entertainment as well as a bet on lady luck. When the Gambling Act 2005 comes into force Bannatyne Casinos Ltd intends to make a play for two or three of the new licences.

Under the Act there will be 17 new licences granted for casinos but the Darlington-based company will be leaving the one licence for a mega casino to the large international operators. Even so, there will be strong competition, as companies such as Stanley Leisure have already made it clear that they intend to bid for all the licences. The casino in Newcastle was converted from one of the company’s health clubs, which number around 35 from Eastbourne in the south to Aberdeen in the north, and Bannatyne’s claims to be the UK’s largest independent health club operator.

Bannatyne Casinos is reported to be negotiating for possible sites and puts an estimated £5 million to £6 million (US$8.7m – US$10.4m) as development costs. The relaxation to the 24-hour membership rule and advertising will, according to Managing Director Paul Edwards, allow land-based casinos to compete more effectively with online operators. (E-07.27.05)

© Copyright 2005 CasinoCompendium



>>> return to archives
>>> return to frontpage