Casino panel ranks Glasgow second

Three sites for a "super-casino" have been identified in Glasgow

A shortlist of possible venues for the UK's first Las Vegas style "super-casino" has Scotland lying in second behind the Millennium Dome.

Greenwich came ahead of Glasgow in the first round of judging by the Casino Advisory Panel, which whittled 27 entrants down to eight.

Potential sites include Glasgow Harbour, Ibrox Stadium and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Glasgow's council leader Steven Purcell said: "We're in it to win it."

Possible venues were awarded marks out of 10 in eight criteria.

They included social impact, need for regeneration, willingness to license, probability of implementation, regional context, community benefits, unique characteristics and range of areas.

A spokeswoman for the panel said the next stage of judging would not be affected by the results of the first round.

VYING FOR VEGAS Greenwich - 67 points Glasgow - 66 Blackpool - 65 Sheffield - 62 Brent - 58 Newcastle - 58 Cardiff - 57 Manchester - 57

Rodney Brody, UK representative of Las Vegas Sands, the firm behind the Ibrox Stadium bid, said Glasgow was in an excellent position.

He said: "East London will be hugely regenerated by the Olympics.

"Regeneration is the name of the game and this is Glasgow's one big chance, London has another chance.

"It is excellent news for Glasgow, it is early but it is nice to be in an exciting position."

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Lesley Sawers said: "This demonstrates that Glasgow has made real progress in pushing the economic and business case for a regional casino licence.

"However, we should not be complacent and must continue to highlight the regeneration benefits not just for Glasgow but for west central Scotland.

"A super-casino has the potential to bring substantial visitors and income to Scotland as well as create thousands of jobs in the city."

Millennium Dome controversy

The dome's bid has been at the centre of recent controversy surrounding Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

He was rebuked by the Commons standards committee for not immediately declaring a visit to the ranch of US tycoon Philip Anschutz - the man bidding for a licence to turn the Dome into a super-casino.

Mr Prescott has denied being under any undue influence and said he was not directly involved in decisions about the Dome.

More than 60 local authorities applied for the small and large casino licences, but only one site will eventually get the go-ahead for a super-casino with unlimited slot machine jackpots.

West Dunbartonshire and Midlothian councils dropped out of the running.

A further 16 licences for small and large casinos with jackpot limits of £4,000 will also be granted.

The panel's data was released as an earlier deadline for submissions from other local authorities was extended.

The final decision is expected to be handed to ministers in December.