Bid set for Glasgow super casino

A "super casino" would significantly boost Glasgow's economy

Glasgow will bid to become home to the UK's only "super casino", city councillors have confirmed.

Research has shown that a casino and associated leisure developments would create up to 4,000 jobs and attract two million visitors to the city a year.

Capital investment would bring £150m to £175m to Glasgow, as well as boosting the local economy by an estimated £50m.

The UK Government is allowing one regional "super" casino along with eight large and eight small ones.

The government's Gambling Act (2005) originally included plans to allow an unlimited number of regional "super casinos", with up to 1,250 slot machines.

That was reduced to eight following pressure from Labour backbenchers and charities.

Anyone who wishes to operate a super casino in Glasgow will have to fund programmes designed to prevent excessive gambling Steven Purcell Glasgow Council leader

Glasgow Council Leader Steven Purcell insisted that no development would be allowed within the city unless any associated social problems were addressed.

He said: "The UK Government has already put in place a number of stringent safeguards to ensure that there is not a negative social cost from the creation of these casinos.

"But we're taking that further by insisting that anyone who wishes to operate a super casino in Glasgow will have to fund programmes designed to prevent excessive gambling and assist those who have gambling problems."

He added: "We will be in competition with cities from across the UK, however we believe that we have not only the infrastructure, but the best economic case for bringing a regional casino to Glasgow."

The city council's policy and resources committee has approved the plans, paving the way for a bid to be made to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.