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Wolverhampton Racecourse drops plan for racino

Wolverhampton Racecourse has axed its bid to open the country's first ever 'racino' casino in the city, it was revealed today.

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Bosses, who have been battling for years for the right to create the multi-million pound 'racino' at its Dunstall Park base, are yet to reveal why.

It would have formed part of a £23 million masterplan for the site, which would have included a hotel expansion and conference facilities.

But Wolverhampton City Council has confirmed that the racecourse has now pulled the casino plans after around six years in the pipeline.

The council was given the power to award one licence for a new casino by Parliament in 2008. Wolverhampton Racecourse announced its vision before Casino 36 Ltd said it would also go into the running for the licence by expanding the Rubicon venue in Temple Street.

Bosses said the plans for the Rubicon, which was formerly the Dorchester and The Beach nightclubs, would create around 100 jobs.

Those plans have now taken pole position as favourite to secure the casino licence after it emerged that the racecourse plans had been scrapped.

Keith Ireland, chairman of the council's Casino Licence Evaluation Panel, said: "The council can confirm that Wolverhampton Racecourse withdrew its bid to bring a new casino to Wolverhampton.

"The evaluation panel is continuing the process of assessing the bid from Casino 36 Ltd to seek the maximum possible employment and regeneration benefits for the city."

Wolverhampton Racecourse was unavailable for comment.

Mr Ireland said a report would be presented to the council in June, which would recommend giving the licence to Casino 36.

He said: "A report will be presented to the licensing committee on June 25, which will include a recommendation regarding the granting of a 2005 Act casino licence to Casino 36 Ltd."

It was thought that the 'racino' would be the first of its kind in the country and would have created around 280 jobs.

Bosses had hoped the casino would open in 2009.

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