Singapore-listed BIL International Ltd, a company controlled by billionaire Tan Sri Quek Leng Chan, has been given the nod to operate 16 casinos in the United Kingdom, entering the growing gaming industry in this country for the first time. With the task of opening both the industry and the market in the UK, BIL has hired Paul Collis, former managing director of Stanley Leisure PLC, to investigate and commence casino operations in the UK. Stanley Leisure now operates 44 casinos across the UK.

BIL Gaming Operations UK Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of BIL International, has been approved by the Gambling Commission of Great Britain to be a licensed operator of casinos under the Gaming Act 1968. BIL International is 50.5% owned by Guoco Group Ltd while Camerlin Group Bhd has a total of 22.26% direct and indirect stake in the Singapore-listed company. In yesterday’s announcement, Camerlin said the Gambling Commission also approved certificates of consent for 16 specific casino licence applications: “BIL Gaming will work towards fulfilling all necessary regulatory requirements including making formal applications to relevant licensing jurisdictions for each of these 16 casino locations.”

BIL had mentioned its intention to operate casinos in its 2005 annual report, in a number of its Thistle hotels and other selected locations. According to the annual report, the company owns, leases or manages 49 hotels with 10,800 rooms under the Thistle Hotel brand and also the 1,019-room Cumberland Hotel in London under the Guoman brand. It also has the Molokai Properties in Hawaii and Bass Strait Oil and Gas Royalty.

After the news of its gaming intentions, Camerlin’s share price jumped 10.66% or 16 sen to RM1.66 with 339,000 shares, while BIL International shares rose 9 cents to S$1.56 (RM3.58) on a volume of 2.27 million shares. As well as Singapore, BIL International also has secondary listings on the London Stock Exchange and New Zealand Stock Exchange. (E-02.08.06)

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