Newham council have expressed delight that their choice to operate a large casino in the borough can press ahead after two rivals dropped their legal challenge on Friday.

Of it choice of Aspers to run the gaming establishment at Westfield Stratford City, a Town Hall spokesman said their decision-making process was “robust and fair”, adding. “We are pleased the claims have been withdrawn and see this as a vindication of our approach.”

It was a surprise move by the competition who had mounted a publicity campaign since their bids were turned down this spring.

Judicial Review in the High Court had been sought by Apollo Genting and City & Eastern. They said their withdrawals were done “reluctantly” and solely as a result of the time and costs to pursue a legal challenge.

Apollo Genting’s plan was for a casino as part of a 400,000 sq ft mixed-use complex with 2,000 full-time jobs at Silvertown Quays at the Royal Docks.

An Apollo Genting spokesman maintained that their submission would have delivered the greatest benefits to Newham in terms of jobs, investment, training, education and kick-starting the brownfield site.

City & Eastern proposed a casino within a �250m mixed-use regeneration project at Gallions Reach that would have generated 1,200 full-time jobs.

Their spokesman said: “we still firmly believe that Newham has wasted an opportunity for additional regeneration and income for the borough.”