New York, New York? Harthill, Harthill More Like, If We Get Our Scottish Version of Las Vegas

Summary

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THE British government is making something of a meal of awarding a licence for a super casino. Only one such gambling emporium is to be allowed in the sceptred isle, and 27 councils are competing for the right to soak the punters.

This enthusiasm is hardly surprising. Las Vegas, the paradigmatic gaming city, reported a 15-per cent increase last year in revenues from visiting gamblers. Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and Midlothian are the three Scottish local authorities hustling for the casino licence. They face competition from the likes of Blackpool (a town with much experience in separating mugs from their money), Cardiff, and Havering in London. Havering sounds like an ideal place to fritter away your money, although the neighbouring borough of Barking would also be a candidate.

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Extract

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New York, New York? Harthill, Harthill More Like, If We Get Our Scottish Version of Las Vegas

For some reason, the allocation of Britain's only mega-casino is in the hands of Tessa Jowell, the English culture secretary. We do not want to be excessively Scottish here, but surely the inalienable right to lose your shirt should be a devolved matter.

I have no real preference as to the Scottish candidates. Bowling...

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