Six new casinos are planned, at a cost of 1billion, in a bid to transform the town into a British rival to Las Vegas. Leisure Parcs, which owns Blackpool Tower and three of the piers, wants the Government to relax gambling laws. It has teamed up with London Clubs International, which has just opened The Aladdin in Las Vegas, to build six casino hotels. The plans for the first development, The Pharaoh's Palace, include a 500-room hotel, leisure facilities and conference center. The scheme, which would create 25,000 new jobs in an area that suffers up to 12 per cent unemployment, is part of a 20-year vision to regenerate the town.
Gaming laws are a major problem, however.
They restrict advertising and opening hours and customers must become members and then wait 24 hours before playing. But the Gaming Review Body is expected to recommend a relaxation of the rules in June.