In October 2003 Biloxi-based Isle of Capri announced that not only had it acquired a majority two-thirds interest in the UK’s newest casino company, Blue Chip Casinos Plc, but also that it was the first American operator to receive Gaming Board approval. The amount paid was £5 million (around US$8 million at the time) and with the purchase came casinos and future developments in the West Midlands.

The existing Castle Hill Casino in Dudley, near Birmingham, was re-developed with a mediæval theme and the Rubicon Casino in Wolverhampton was opened in Roman style. These casinos were followed by a more modern Italian theme at the Sorrento Casino in Walsall. Plans for adapting the Barleycorn Pub in Warley to an art deco ocean liner casino are on hold. Last June a planning application for the £1.5 million (US$2.6 million) conversion was heard at a public inquiry and the ruling went in favour of local residents, who had been fighting the scheme for two years, citing intolerable noise problems.

The Council has now confirmed that Isle of Capri and Blue Chip Casinos are continuing with their redevelopment plans, and that the application will be once again before the planning committee on 3 August. The local residents have been shocked to discover that planning officers are recommending acceptance and are now rallying to apply pressure against the project. Parking problems and anti-social behaviour, as well as noise, are causing concern to residents, but architects for Blue Chip redrew the original plans to include a covered car park and a 2-storey extension. The members of the Council were also invited to visit the Rubicon Casino in Wolverhampton to see a working casino in action.

Isle of Capri owns and operates 18 riverboat, dockside and land-based casinos in the United States and the Pompano Park Harness Track in Florida, soon to be given racino status. The company holds licences in 6 states within the US and also the Bahamas. In Britain, apart from the Blue Chip Casinos operations, Isle of Capri was granted a casino licence for the Ricoh Arena development in Coventry in April 2005. It has also submitted plans to Newcastle City Council for a casino, two hotels, and leisure and conference facilities for wasteland on the banks of the River Tyne, not far from where recent speculation suggests that a Malaysian group is interested in Newcastle United and its football stadium for a casino complex at St James’ Park. (E-07.26.05)

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