Go-ahead for city ‘racino’

Plans to create the UK’s first ‘racino’ at Wolverhampton’s Dunstall Park Racecourse were given their starting orders today.

The long-awaited decision was announced in the House of Commons in a statement by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

He fired the starting gun for the creation of 16 new casinos, including a small casino in Wolverhampton with 80 slot machines and £4,000 prizes.

Seven other small casinos, plus eight large casinos including one at Birmingham’s NEC in Solihull with 150 slot machines offering the same jackpots were also shown the green light.

But Manchester’s super-casino dream was officially killed off by the Government.

It is understood ministers were warned in an independent report a Las Vegas-style gaming palace would lead to problem gambling on a massive scale due to the contrast between a £1 million fruit machine jackpot and the £4,000 maximum wins on offer at the smaller venues.

Instead, in a bid to head off a row with city chiefs and MPs, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears offered a redevelopment plan.