With the race for Britain’s first super casino hotting up, Glasgow is pitching for the nomination. The Scottish city is well accustomed to a casino presence, and there is more than one possible contender for the ‘super’ title in Glasgow. A project at Rangers Football Club has already received council backing and now a plan has been outlined for a development at Glasgow Harbour.

Should Glasgow be granted the super casino licence, and it is for the latest £1.2 billion scheme on the north bank of the Clyde, then MGM Mirage will be the likely operators. The Las Vegas giants have been named by the developers Peel Ports, although once the licence has been awarded, wherever that may be in Britain, the casino operation may have to be put out to tender.

The Glasgow Harbour proposal would be built in an area in much need of regeneration and would be expected to provide as many as 10,000 jobs. A 200-room 5-star hotel, retail space, a 10-screen cinema and an apartment block would be constructed on the site if the casino gets the go-ahead. Annual revenue is predicted at £89 million (US$ million) from the project plus 2 million additional visitors to the city.

Peel Ports received planning consent for the Glasgow Harbour area five years ago, but has now submitted revised plans for consideration by Glasgow City Council. The Casino Advisory Board is to make recommendations on the applications it receives for the 17 new casino licences (8 small, 8 large and 1 regional) by the end of 2006. Deadline for the submission of applications is the end of March.
(E-02.15.06)

© Copyright 2006 CasinoCompendium



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