MPs urge Blackpool casino rethink

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The government is being urged to reconsider the decision to award a super-casino license to Manchester, at the expense of Blackpool.

A Commons motion expressing "surprise and regret" that the Casino Advisory Panel rejected Blackpool's application has been signed by 18 MPs.

It says there was an "overwhelming case" for regeneration at the resort.

Parliament has yet to vote on the final site, but Manchester was the top choice of an independent advisory panel.

The MPs, led by Blackpool North's Joan Humble wants Parliament to re-examine the case in detail before the final vote.

Widespread support

The Early Day Motion states that Blackpool's bid matched the panel's "key criteria" and had widespread support.

Blackpool and London had been the front runners to get the UK's first regional casino licence, with Manchester a 16-1 outsider at the bookmakers.

But in a surprise announcement last week, the independent Casino Advisory Panel named Manchester as their top choice for a licence, allowing it to build a venue for up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot gaming machines.

The panel's chairman Stephen Crow said Manchester had been chosen because of its "very thorough consultation" and "the way it dealt with questions of problem gambling".

The news was welcomed in Manchester, but those behind Blackpool's bid described it as a "smack in the face".

They believed the super-casino was vital to restore the fortunes of Blackpool, which has seen visitor numbers slump by seven million in the past 15 years to an annual figure of 10 million.

Commenting on the panel's decision, Doug Garrett, chief executive of urban regeneration firm ReBlackpool said: "It is tragic. It is very difficult to see how they have drawn their conclusions".

The government has confirmed that only one super-casino licence will be awarded for the duration of this Parliament.