To many the Dome site on the Thames at Greenwich would appear to be an ideal place for Britain’s first regional casino, and it has long been suggested that it is the Government’s preferred site. The bid by Greenwich Council to secure the nomination to host the prototype super casino has, however, been beset with controversy.

Developer Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) was observed to have already started construction on the casino in the huge redevelopment project; Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott made a visit to the Anschutz ranch and accepted the gift of a cowboy outfit; and the latest news is that one of the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) had previously held talks with the UK head of AEG.

The Sunday Times reports that James Froomberg, one of the five CAP members, discussed the possible acquisition of Wembley Arena with AEG whilst he was director of commercial development at Wembley Plc. AEG later decided to acquire the Dome site to construct an entertainment complex and casino when, at the time, it was not thought that there would be only one regional casino licence. Froomberg had cited Greenwich, and three other shortlisted cities, as falling under possible ‘conflict of interests’ in the CAP register but was not obliged to reveal what those were.

Each of the five panel members has declared a number of possible interests in the shortlisted locations but they are not required to absent themselves from discussions. The Sunday Times has once again called into question the integrity of the licensing process with regards to the Dome site. It would appear that the dice could be loaded against Greenwich being selected, no matter how well the location scores on the CAP allotted points system. Will the Dome prove to be too controversial to allow it to be the CAP choice?

All will be revealed next January, but if the AEG development is recommended against the odds and in due course Greenwich granted the licence by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), there will be plenty of raised voices chanting “cheat” however justified the choice. (E-11.13.06)

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