Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Casino plan dropped - for now

14/ 4/2005

SALFORD Reds have shelved their controversial plan to build a super casino at the site of their proposed multi-million pound stadium.

The ambitious scheme to open a massive 7,850 square metre gaming room at the proposed Barton site has been put on hold to ensure the development is not derailed by further delays in the government's bid to get gaming laws changed.

Last year the club struck a deal for US gaming giants Isle of Capri to run the casino, the revenue from which they said would finance a string of star player signings to help propel the Reds into the Super League's elite.

But after the government recently announced only one "prototype" super casino will be built during a trial period, the club has said team spending will have to be more modest than they had once planned.

Adam Thomas, managing director of Red City Developments, said: "We are not abandoning the idea of opening a casino in Salford - our planning application is for leisure which covers a whole range of entertainments including a casino.

"What we are hoping to do is put something temporary such a bowling alley in the space which was going to be a casino. Then when the gambling laws finally are changed we will be ready with a venue that already has the appropriate planning permission."

The Gambling Bill was originally set to allow the creation of a string of large gaming centres around the country.

However, in a bid to get the law rushed through Parliament after the general election was called, Labour Party bosses struck a deal with the Tories to have only one super casino opened. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has hinted that Blackpool will be picked as the pilot area for the country's first super casino.

Adam Thomas insisted the decision to temporarily ditch the casino plan had not been taken to pacify anti-gambling groups.

"It is totally down to the government," he said. "This is not an admission of defeat. We are still convinced that Salford would be the best place in the region to open a super casino but we are being realistic.

"This would be a big space to have sitting around doing nothing, at least if it is in use it will be generating income.

"The stadium scheme is in no way jeopardised by this. We had hoped that the casino revenue would have allowed us to compete with the finances of the biggest clubs - now with the increased income generated by playing at the new stadium we will be able to compete financially with the mid-table sides."

Published 14 April 2005