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U.K. Firms Oppose Blair's Gaming Bill
Press Release: January 27, 2005
U.K. gaming companies led by Rank Group Plc and Gala Group Ltd. are
fighting Prime Minister Tony Blair's plan to open the industry to Las
Vegas-style casinos, saying their businesses will be damaged by the
competition.
London, UK (PRWEB) January 27, 2005 -- U.K. gaming companies led by Rank
Group Plc and Gala Group Ltd. are fighting Prime Minister Tony Blair's
plan to open the industry to Las Vegas-style casinos, saying their
businesses will be damaged by the competition.
The British Casino Association, representing London-based Rank and Gala
of Nottingham, England, said the bill favors U.S. operators and will
cost jobs and investment in the industry, which generates $11.5 billion
a year and employs 100,000.
"We would prefer no bill to the one being proposed," said David Bowden,
managing director of the gaming division at Rank, the No. 2 U.K. casino
operator. "Once the new casinos open, we will find ourselves at a
competitive disadvantage with a restricted range of products."
The bill, which the lower house of Parliament is voting on today, will
allow 24 new casinos on top of the 134 now operating in the U.K. It will
allow eight "super-casinos" of the kind operated by U.S. companies
including Caesars Entertainment Inc. and MGM Mirage. It restricts the
number of medium and small casinos, operated by companies such as Rank
and Gala, after an amendment by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell.
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