Wembley super-casino plan dropped

Caesars will not be rolling into Wembley

Developers have scrapped plans to open a super-casino near the site of London's new Wembley Stadium.

The decision came after the local council withdrew its support for the proposed £335m ($632m) gambling venue.

Las Vegas-based casino giant Caesars had submitted the joint plans with UK developer Quintain Estates.

The move means Quintain will now concentrate on using the 650,000 sq ft site for other entertainment, retail and residential purposes.

Political storms

The executive committee of Brent Council, whose approval was necessary for the casino to go ahead, voted against the super-casino this week.

The decision came as the latest blow to controversial plans for super-casinos in UK towns.

Wembley was one of eight UK locations shortlisted for a super-casino. Under the terms of the Gambling Act one will be licensed initially.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has been criticised by the House of Commons standards committee over meetings with US tycoon Philip Anschutz, who is bidding to build a large casino at London's Millennium Dome.

The intended location for the Wembley casino was part of the western end of the stadium complex, known as The Palace of Industry site.

Quintain still plans to build a 400-room hotel for the Hilton group at the site. This development is due to be completed by 2010.

The UK's largest cinema complex and a revamped Wembley Arena concert venue will also be part of the development.