Cards on the table in race for casinos.Byline: By Ross Smith Ross Smith may refer to:
Three North-East councils, including Newcastle, have told the Government they are interested in a Las Vegas-style super casino. Sunderland and Middlesbrough are the other two authorities to reply to Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell's request for declarations of interest. Both had already stated their interest in a regional casino, which is being allowed under the Government's Gambling Bill. Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon Ray Mallon (b. 1955 in Thornaby) is the directly-elected Mayor of Middlesbrough in England. Early life Ray Mallon was raised in Thornaby, a working class town near Middlesbrough and Stockton-On-Tees in the North East of England, the only child of Joe and Pauline Mallon. has launched a major PR campaign, along with Tees Valley The Tees Valley is an area the North East of England. It can be described as "greater Teesside" and consists of the four unitary authorities created by the breakup of the County of Cleveland in 1996: Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland, and Stockton-On-Tees along with Regeneration, aimed at winning the one regional casino licence currently on offer. But Newcastle's decision to register its interest comes despite the council's ruling Liberal Democrat Liberal Democrat Noun a member or supporter of the Liberal Democrats, a British centrist political party that advocates proportional representation Liberal Democrat n (BRIT) → group being split over the issue. At a group meeting in October, members only narrowly voted against ruling out a casino completely. Executive member for development Greg Stone said: "We've returned the form saying we are interested in a regional casino at the moment. "It's a case of saying yes, we're in there, we want to be considered." Back bench councillor John Appleby, who presented a paper opposing a casino at the October meeting, said: "The Liberal Democrat group has agreed to keep all options open at this stage. I'm not aware that anything more has been decided than that. "I think there's probably a long way to go before any such decision would be made." Coun Stone said there are two "strong contenders" to operate a casino, which councillors believe could provide the finance for a convention centre in the city. Labour group deputy leader Nick Forbes said: "I have concerns about Newcastle becoming Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. on Tyne. "There needs to be a full debate, rather than simply jumping in feet first as the Lib Dems seem to be doing." One possible site for a casino in Sunderland is adjacent to the Stadium of Light, while the Middlehaven regeneration area has been earmarked in Middlesbrough. Efforts are being made to persuade the Government to increase the number of licences on offer. The North East Assembly believes that a super casino in the North-East would benefit the economy. |
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