Recent coverage in the press has pointed out that whilst Britain may be getting just 17 new casino licences under the Gambling Act 2005, many more licences have been approved or are in the process of being approved under the old Gaming Act. 89 new licences have been awarded and 26 applications are being considered. The casinos, if they gain local planning permission, would be smaller than even the 8 new ‘small’ casino licences, but still represent a large increase in Britain’s gambling estate.

The huge Malaysian conglomerate Genting Bhd with its subsidiary Genting International is expanding its gaming empire. It has already acquired Stanley Leisure, a leading British operator, and been granted the second Singapore integrated resort licence for Sentosa Island. It has now been given permission for another 16 casino sites around Britain. Yesterday Genting shares suffered a fall when it was revealed that the government of Singapore was concerned about a possible deal between Genting and Stanley Ho in Macau.

The largest number of new casino licences approved in the last two years under the old law has gone to another Asian company. 25 licences have been awarded to BIL Gaming Operations UK Limited, a 100% owned subsidiary of Singapore listed BIL International, the owner of the Thistle Hotel chain and the famous Clermont casino in London. In its 2006 Annual Report issued last August, BIL stated that it intends to introduce the Clermont brand into other selected locations. Chairman of BIL, Quek Leng Chan, is a Malaysian billionaire who qualified as a Barrister-at-Law in the UK.

Those granted the other casino licences include Rank’s Grosvenor Casinos (15); Aspinalls (5); Gala (3); Ladbrokes (1); and London Clubs (1). Another 12 licences have been awarded to other operators. Even before the Casino Advisory Panel announces its choice of locations for the 17 new casinos next week, British casinos are no longer the sole preserve of the ‘big four’ UK gaming companies. Kerzner, Harrah’s, Isle of Capri and more have already placed their bets on the British gaming market. Once those 17 additional locations for the new-style larger casinos are revealed, the competition for operator licences from both home and abroad is likely to be fierce. (E-01.25.07)

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