The government has officially announced what we already knew what was coming, the proposed super casino idea was completely scrapped. It was one of the first things that Gordon Brown has done since coming into office. The plans to regenerate the deprived area of Manchester was put on the shelf for good.

Culture secretary Andy Brown officially announced the news yesterday and confirmed that there had been 'no consensus' about the building of the casino. There had been concerns that there could be a negative effect with the casino in Manchester.

The plans for the other 16 smaller casinos in Milton Keynes and Leeds, among other places are still going to move forward and there was a considerable difference between the smaller casinos and the casino that was proposed for Manchester.

Burnham said that these casinos would be some of the most heavily regulated in the world, with bans on credit cards, free drink promotions and a restriction that would ensure that the casino's were closed for at least 6 hours a day.

Sir Richard Lee of the Manchester City Council said the he disappointed with the results and at this time he hasn't ruled out against taking legal action. The casino would have created about 3500 jobs and millions of dollars in the area.


- 2008-02-28