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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Tight votes expected over casino | Tight votes expected over casino |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A significant number of Labour MPs and peers are expected to vote against the government over plans to build Britain's first super-casino. | A significant number of Labour MPs and peers are expected to vote against the government over plans to build Britain's first super-casino. |
| The Labour rebels, thought to be in the dozens, will join Tories in opposing the building of the Manchester venue. | The Labour rebels, thought to be in the dozens, will join Tories in opposing the building of the Manchester venue. |
| Some opponents say there are questions about the casino's suitability, while others say it should have been awarded to the seaside resort of Blackpool. | Some opponents say there are questions about the casino's suitability, while others say it should have been awarded to the seaside resort of Blackpool. |
| Ministers backed the plan on the recommendation of an independent panel. | Ministers backed the plan on the recommendation of an independent panel. |
| If the government loses the votes in the Commons and the Lords, it will mean plans for 16 smaller venues across Britain would also be thrown out. | If the government loses the votes in the Commons and the Lords, it will mean plans for 16 smaller venues across Britain would also be thrown out. |
| What we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered Joan HumbleLabour MP | |
| More than 100 MPs - including 83 Labour - have previously signed a parliamentary motion expressing "surprise and regret" at the recommendation to build the super-casino in Manchester. | More than 100 MPs - including 83 Labour - have previously signed a parliamentary motion expressing "surprise and regret" at the recommendation to build the super-casino in Manchester. |
| Supporters of Blackpool's bid - which was tipped as the favourite - say it is needed there to improve the town's fortunes. | Supporters of Blackpool's bid - which was tipped as the favourite - say it is needed there to improve the town's fortunes. |
| Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, Joan Humble, is leading the rebellion. | |
| Commenting on the likelihood of the opposition succeeding, she said: "It's always difficult to estimate how much of that concern will translate into either a vote against or abstention." | |
| Casino recommendations | |
| "The government should be aware that what we want is an opportunity for Blackpool's bid to be properly considered. We want fairness in this," added the MP. | |
| The Gambling Order, to be debated by both Houses, grants the powers to issue licences for new casinos. | The Gambling Order, to be debated by both Houses, grants the powers to issue licences for new casinos. |
| Neither MPs nor peers can vote to change the locations, so critics will have to vote against the entire order. | Neither MPs nor peers can vote to change the locations, so critics will have to vote against the entire order. |
| The Casino Advisory Panel chose Manchester as the super-casino venue in January. | The Casino Advisory Panel chose Manchester as the super-casino venue in January. |
| It also recommended that large casinos should be licensed at Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton. | It also recommended that large casinos should be licensed at Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton. |
| 'Unfair competition' | |
| And it said that small casinos should be sited at Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton. | And it said that small casinos should be sited at Bath and North East Somerset, Dumfries and Galloway, East Lindsey, Luton, Scarborough, Swansea, Torbay and Wolverhampton. |
| Gaming operator Rank Group said it feared the plans were unfair to existing casinos. | |
| Ian Burke, its chief executive, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the recommendations provided "unfair competition" in 11 of the 17 areas that the Casino Advisory Panel has recommended get the new licence. | |
| He said the new casinos would be able to offer bingo, sports betting and additional machines, allowing them to offer "a much broader range of gaming product" than existing businesses in those areas which operate under the 1968 Gaming Act. | |
| However, Mr Burke added: "Overall, we think the government has to be given credit for trying to modernise the legislation governing the gaming industry." |