Blair agrees to limit of a single U.K. supercasino

Robert Hutton

Tuesday, April 5, 2005 | 11:04 a.m.

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair's government cut the number of Las Vegas-style supercasinos to be allowed in its gambling bill from eight to one, in a accord to get the measure passed before the May 5 general election.

The single casino will be the only place in the U.K. where gamblers can play no-limits slot machines. Up to 1,250 of the machines will be allowed in the casino. Smaller casinos will be allowed 20 "Category B" slot machines, instead of the previous limit of 10, and the maximum prize on those machines will be doubled from 2,000 pounds ($3,800) to 4,000 pounds.

Blair has four days to pass all remaining legislation before Parliament is dissolved for the campaign for the election, which the prime minister announced this morning. Any outstanding bills will be dropped Friday night.

U.S. companies including Caesars Entertainment Inc. and MGM Mirage operate the sort of regional casinos that will get the go-ahead if the bill becomes law. They will now have to compete for the single license.

Caesars said Jan. 21 it is moving ahead with building a 320 million-pound casino in Wembley, the north London suburb that's home to England's new national soccer stadium.