At the same time as denying media reports of a multibillion-dollar development on Russia’s Black Sea coast, South African gaming giant Sun International was expressing a continued interest in Britain. The company would make a bid for the one UK regional gaming licence for a super casino, but only if Manchester remains the location. Sun International dismisses the investment potential of Blackpool, and apparently would not consider any of the 16 large and small casino licences around Britain.

Describing the UK licensing process as ‘extremely drawn out and extremely frustrating’ Sun International’s chief executive David Coutts-Trotter pointed out that there is still no final decision from Parliament. Originally Sheffield was the chosen location for a bid by Sun International, and Manchester had previously selected Kerzner International. However, when the UK super casino location is finally decided, a tender process must begin in order to find an operator.

In a move to expand worldwide, albeit remaining south of the equator so far, Sun International is part of the IGGR project in Chile. The company has joined the French casino company that has operations in Egypt and has been granted a casino licence for the Mostazal region, the closest to the capital Santiago where there is no licence available. Sun International also had a project for a casino resort in Russia’s Moscow region, which was abandoned with the changes to the gambling law last year.

Commenting on the rumours of a similar project for the Black Sea area of Rostov Krasnodar, Development Direcor Neil Murphy said that the reports were false and that Sun International had visited the region in an advisory capacity. Before any gaming investment can be made the Russian government needs to sort out various issues, and the gambling zones are unlikely to be able to support multiple casinos. Sun International continues to monitor the situation in Russia, where some believe the new laws will not be enacted, and in the UK. (E-05.29.07)

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