Manchester, England, has been chosen as the site for the U.K.'s first Las Vegas-style casino resort, prevailing over six finalists. Manchester's bid should receive Parliament approval by summer, which would give the city the go-ahead to license a 24-hour gaming complex with hospitality and leisure facilities.
The project, with a $500-million budget, is to be sited at Sportcity, an athletics hub with a pro soccer stadium and several arenas two miles east from Manchester's city center. It is to have a 54,000-square-foot casino with 1,250 slot machines, a hotel, a multipurpose arena, conference facilities, restaurants, and nightlife. No launch date has been set.
The so-called supercasino, though small by Vegas standards, represents the coming of age for the British gaming market, after Parliament passed a wide-ranging reform in April 2005 that relaxes gaming restrictions and allows the development of 16 smaller casinos across the U.K. Big-name operators like Harrah's, Sands, and Ladbrokes are widely expected to bid for the Manchester license (as well as the smaller licenses) and fuel development of world-class hospitality and leisure infrastructure in the northern England city. "This will bring massive investment," said Richard Leese, Manchester City Council Leader.
With the city of Blackpool favored by many observers, Manchester was a surprising selection by a government commission created to select the 17 casino sites. According to a mid-2006 PricewaterhouseCoopers report on the U.K. casino market, Blackpool, on England's northwestern coast, had drafted a $2.7-billion civic master plan that emphasized development as a conference destination.
Planner Robin Dilley, managing director of Ambient Events Ltd., in Nottinghamshire, England, said that although Blackpool is a popular resort city that needs revitalization, Manchester is a commercial center with an international airport. "It can bring people in from all over the world," said Dilley. "The city already has many fine hotels and conference facilities. The casino will complement the offerings already available and raise the value for planners."
Fast FactsCasino Provisions of U.K. Gambling ActIn 2005, Parliament sanctioned the creation of 17 casinos across the U.K.
One supercasino: 54,000-square-foot gaming area, 1,250 slots, unlimited jackpot
Eight large casinos: 10,700-square-foot gaming area, 150 slots, $7,700 jackpot
Eight small casinos: 8,000-square-foot gaming area, 80 slots, $7,700 jackpot
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