The Chairman of the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) yesterday made the Panel’s position very clear – completely independent and under no political pressure. At the first Examination in Public, held to discuss the Greenwich Council application to host Britain’s first regional casino, Professor Stephen Crow was adamant that there was no ‘done deal.’ He went further, saying that the fact that Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) had started construction on the Dome site, including a casino, would be taken into consideration but could count either in favour or against the bid.

Professor Crow also commented on the media furore over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott’s visit to Philip Anschutz’s ranch. He stated categorically that Mr Prescott played absolutely no part in the application selection process and that there was no political pressure or political interference in the work of CAP, an entirely independent body. The Panel will not make its recommendation to the Culture Secretary until after Christmas, and then it will be up to the Government to decide on the location of the super casino.

Tomorrow CAP will be going to Cardiff to examine the case for Cardiff Council’s bid. The venue for the public hearing will be the Llandaff Suite at Cardiff Jury’s Hotel. Cardiff, along with Coventry (not shortlisted), were the only two local authorities to obtain 10 points for willingness to licence. However, it only scored 7 for the very important social impact criterion, below all the other shortlisted bids from Blackpool, Glasgow, Greenwich, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield.

Examinations in Public will continue next week, the final venue being Blackpool. Yesterday Professor Crow said that these proceedings are just part of the process and that no decisions would be made until everything had been taken into consideration. CAP must also consider bids for 8 large and 8 small casino licences around Britain, but it is the first regional casino licence that is grabbing the headlines. (E-08.31.06)

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