Two casinos in the Black Country were today saved from closure in a takeover deal that has saved 110 jobs.

Staff at the Rubicon in Wolverhampton and the Castle Hill in Dudley feared redundancy after both went into administration in March. Today it emerged the casinos, which stayed open while a buyer was sought, have now been bought for an undisclosed sum by independent group Casino 36 Ltd based in Stockport.

They will now be refurbished in a bid to draw in more customers.

Father-of-two Allan Griffiths, aged 43, who has managed the Rubicon in Temple Street for 18 months, said today the deal had secured the future of around 60 workers in Wolverhampton and 50 in Dudley.

“It is the Christmas present we all wanted,” he said. “Both clubs are now out of administration and 110 jobs have been safeguarded.

“The past few months have been very worrying for the staff. Nobody wants to lose their job, especially during the current economic problems and with the festive season so close.

“Now we can look forward to the future with renewed enthusiasm. It is very exciting for all concerned. The news came as a tremendous relief.”

Casino 36 Ltd today confirmed it was also in “early negotiations” to take over several other casinos in the Midlands.