Winning throw as casino gets go ahead

13 February 2008

ALL bets are off as to whether Newham is allowed a casino or not after a leaked letter sent to the Scottish and Welsh governments confirmed the borough can have one.

It would be among sixteen new gambling palaces across the country, though exactly where it would be located has still to be announced.

In the melting pot are ExCeL in the Royal Docks, Stratford City and West Ham United's Boleyn Ground at Upton Park.

ExCeL is thought to be the front runner because of the established tens of thousands of visitors it yearly attracts to trade shows and conferences and the half dozen hotels in the locality.

The letter comes six months after Gordon Brown backed down from inherited plans to bring Las Vegas-style gambling to Britain.

More of Pat Coughtrey's story in this week's Recorder