It seems that enthusiasm for Britain’s long delayed new-style casino licences is at last warming up. A second bidder has stated interest in a large casino licence (one with a magnificent maximum of 150 slot machines allowed subject to table ratio) in Great Yarmouth, and a partnership between the UK’s Apollo Resorts and Leisure and Casinos Austria International (CAI) are to stake a claim for Hull’s large casino licence. Newham Council, with the only Large Casino Premises Licence in London on offer, is inviting operators, landowners and businesses to a special event on 10 December to hear how it intends to award the licence.

Last week councillors in Great Yarmouth, a seaside resort on England’s east coast, gave approval for a £35 million leisure centre The Edge proposed by the company Pleasure and Leisure, which runs Pleasure Beach at the resort. Now the owner of Palace Casino and Palace Bingo in the town is to submit plans also for a £35 million leisure centre extending from his present casino. According to Patrick Duffy, his scheme is better sited in the town centre close to transport links and will cause far less traffic congestion than the Pleasure Beach project down by the outer harbour.

Before Yarmouth Council completes its revision of licensing policy, expected to take most of next year, it expects to receive more proposals for the large casino licence. The project from Patrick Duffy, which will not be ready for presenting to the council until next summer, will include plans for a 75-bedroom hotel, conference centre, shops and leisure facilities such as a multiplex cinema and ten-pin bowling.

A project that could provide up to one thousand jobs in Hull has been unveiled by Apollo Casino Resorts, the joint venture between CAI and Apollo Resorts and Leisure. Last month planning permission was granted for Manor Mill leisure complex to include a casino on three levels of a 9-storey block. The scheme, on the derelict Clarence Mill site on the River Hull, will also include five restaurants, a 23-storey apartment block, student accommodation and a 185-room hotel. Hull City Council is expected to invite applications for the large casino licence early next year. (E-12.03.08)

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