One prototype regional casino may not be enough to test the issue of Vegas-style casinos in Britain. This is a feeling that may lead to the subject being raised in parliament once again, with the aim of licensing at least four venues nationwide. The Gambling Act 2005 was passed with a limit of one super casino licence. Since then there have been persistent rumours that the government could go back to Parliament for an increase. Yarmouth, on the UK’s east coast is a holiday resort in need of regeneration and the Yarmouth Pleasure Beach will be seeking to revitalise its original plan to compete for a regional casino.

Yarmouth Borough Council has approved the plan and the Hilton Group is still keen to operate should a licence be granted. Recent granting of permission for an Outer Harbour project is seen as making a casino even more relevant as it will open the market to Northern Europe. Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, a sea front attraction, has announced plans for an £8 million (US$14.1 million) multiplex cinema development, and the addition of a casino and hotel would further increase the resort’s regeneration with a prospective 3.3 million annual visitors.

There are many projects already seeking regional casino status, from the Millennium Dome in London to the Ibrox in Glasgow, and many councils in areas with few employment possibilities are backing the projects with planning permission. If more than one regional casino licence is approved in spite of determined opposition from anti-gambling lobbies, the Yarmouth plan is by no means guaranteed success. In its own Eastern Region alone it will face stiff competition from places such as Southend. Hilton would also have competition from other prospective operators. Final decision on applications from the region will be made by the East od England Regional Assembly. (E-09.27.05)

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