Gaming briefs for Dec. 23, 2003

Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003 | 8:37 a.m.

Casino planned in England

BILOXI, Miss. -- Isle of Capri Casinos Inc. announced Monday the completion of an agreement to build a casino and entertainment complex in Coventry, England.

Isle of Capri will partner with Arena Coventry Ltd. to build a 100,000-square-foot casino, the largest in Britain, officials said.

The casino will be part of the $95 million Arena Coventry entertainment complex, which will feature a 32,500-seat soccer stadium, a 6,000-seat exhibition/events hall, hotels, restaurants and retailers.

Coventry, located in central England, has a population of more than 300,000. The casino, which will open in 2005, is expected to create about 1,000 jobs.

Broadcasting license denied

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Racing Services Inc., which faces federal felony charges and the possible seizure of its property, was refused an extension of its North Dakota horse racing broadcast license on Monday.

The state Racing Commission voted instead to award the license to another Fargo company, Lien Games, a longtime seller of pull tabs, bingo cards and another gambling supplies to North Dakota charities. The license takes effect Jan. 1.

Lien Games has never supplied video feeds of horse races, but its owner, Ken Lien, said he was confident the company can take over quickly as the provider of simulcast signals to 10 off-track betting locations across the state.

The five-member commission, which regulates North Dakota horse racing, unanimously approved Lien Games' application on Monday. All five commissioners voted to deny Racing Services Inc.'s request, despite an appeal from the managing director of a Kentucky investment firm to allow RSI to keep its license.