Bets off on island casino plans

A casino at one of Guernsey's largest hotels is unlikely ever to be built.

The planned casino at the St Pierre Park Hotel in St Peter Port has been dogged by delays and problems.

Earlier this year, Tom Scott, the businessman behind the project, wanted to scale down the investment because of a fall in island visitor numbers.

Following stalemate over the terms of the licence, the States is being asked whether the idea of a casino should be dropped altogether.

Guernsey's first casino is facing delays before the building work has even begun.

Channel Island Traders, which is behind the renovations at the St Pierre Park Hotel, is still waiting for a licence.

Guernsey's States granted a concession to build the casino in September 2003 and the hotel was to be closed for nine months for renovation work.

But delays in receiving the licence mean the project has currently been put on hold.

The company hopes the matter will be resolved in the next six weeks, allowing the redevelopment to begin.