Despite having called for further submissions from local authorities in support of their bids to host Britain’s first super casino, it appears that the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) is sticking to its original shortlist. ‘Examinations in Public’ start today, as the first place scheduled for a CAP visit – Brent - withdrew its application. Proceedings to examine the Greenwich scheme, now mired in controversy, commence at 9:30 am in the Queen Mary Suite at the Jury’s Great Russell Street Hotel, London.

There has been no indication that CAP intends to replace Brent on the shortlist. From the table of moderated scores from the initial sifting process, two local authorities scored equal points just below Cardiff, the lowest ranked of the eight shortlisted. The projects outlined by Havering and West Dunbartonshire each scored 55, with the latter scoring high (8) on social impact, the main consideration of the government for the prototype regional casino. Only Glasgow scored 9 points for social impact in the list of 27 local authorities that applied.

Although the Greenwich development on the Dome site led the shortlist before the Examinations in Public, recent events have made it increasingly difficult for it to be the eventual winner. Anschutz Entertainment Group, presently building an entertainment complex on the proposed site, has been further criticised for misrepresenting the views of local religious leaders on the subject of Greenwich hosting a super casino. Yesterday the company issued an apology but the contretemps, compounding the issues over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott’s undeclared visit to Philip Anschutz’s ranch, may be just another nail in the coffin for London’s remaining bid. (E-08.30.06)

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