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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Rank proposes first Northern Ireland casino in Belfast | Rank proposes first Northern Ireland casino in Belfast |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A proposal for Northern Ireland's first ever casino has been outlined to parties on Belfast City Council. | A proposal for Northern Ireland's first ever casino has been outlined to parties on Belfast City Council. |
| It has been asked to back a proposal from the Rank Group, which operates 55 casinos in Britain, although it would require a change in the law. | |
| Casinos are illegal in Northern Ireland but the firm has produced a "prototype model specifically for Belfast". | Casinos are illegal in Northern Ireland but the firm has produced a "prototype model specifically for Belfast". |
| A "strictly regulated and monitored gaming operation" would anchor the venue. | A "strictly regulated and monitored gaming operation" would anchor the venue. |
| The plan would also involve a cinema and restaurants. | The plan would also involve a cinema and restaurants. |
| Briefed | Briefed |
| A council development site at the north foreshore of Belfast Lough has been mentioned as one possible location. | A council development site at the north foreshore of Belfast Lough has been mentioned as one possible location. |
| Rank briefed members of the council's development committee on Tuesday evening. | Rank briefed members of the council's development committee on Tuesday evening. |
| In a statement, it said it wanted to determine whether "there is an appetite for a change in legislation". | In a statement, it said it wanted to determine whether "there is an appetite for a change in legislation". |
| The company said 200 jobs could be created. | The company said 200 jobs could be created. |
| Legislation to update gambling laws in Northern Ireland is due to go before the assembly next year. | Legislation to update gambling laws in Northern Ireland is due to go before the assembly next year. |
| But the Department of Social Development has previously ruled out allowing casinos. | But the Department of Social Development has previously ruled out allowing casinos. |
| "It is not something the minister (DUP assembly member Nelson McCausland) was prepared to move towards," an official told a Stormont committee in February 2013. | "It is not something the minister (DUP assembly member Nelson McCausland) was prepared to move towards," an official told a Stormont committee in February 2013. |
| Rank runs its casinos in Great Britain through a subsidiary, Grosvenor Casinos, and also operates bingo venues. | Rank runs its casinos in Great Britain through a subsidiary, Grosvenor Casinos, and also operates bingo venues. |
| According to its website, it generates annual revenues of £625m. | According to its website, it generates annual revenues of £625m. |
| One of its board members is Richard Needham, a former Northern Ireland Office minister. | One of its board members is Richard Needham, a former Northern Ireland Office minister. |