Vegas company eyes London’s Millennium Dome

Wednesday, April 24, 2002 | 10:55 a.m.

Park Place Entertainment Corp. of Las Vegas is examining the possibility of converting London's Millennium Dome into a casino, the Times of London reported Tuesday.

The newspaper did not cite sources, but said the company was looking at creating a version of Caesars Palace within the dome, located on the banks of the Thames River. The dome, built to celebrate the coming of the new millennium, closed on Dec. 31, 2000, and officials are searching for a company interested in signing a 999-year lease on it.

The Times called the concept "every bit as bizarre as the original (Caesars Palace), complete with chariot rides, Cleopatra's barge and an empire of one-armed bandits."

Anschutz Entertainment Group, a U.S. company, is the preferred bidder on a lease for the dome. That company has indicated it would consider placing a casino within the dome as well.

Park Place spokeswoman Debbie Munch declined comment on reports that Park Place wanted to lease the Greenwich dome.

archive