 THE champagne heir behind Liverpool's waterfront casino has welcomed the Government's climbdown over plans to open a string of regional Las Vegas-style casino across the country. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell yesterday conceded that there would only be one regional "super casino", instead of the eight previously planned by ministers. Ms Jowell accepted the cut in a deal with Shadow Culture Secretary John Whittingdale to save the Government's Gambling Bill before Parliament dissolves for the General Election. The location of the new casino will be decided by an independent panel but Blackpool is thought to be the most likely place. Amaury Taittinger, who owns the Leo Casino at Queens Dock, had actually submitted his own plans for a "super casino" in Liverpool despite being an opponent of the plan. He said he felt he had to submit such a plan or his existing business would die. But following Mrs Jowell's announcement, he said he was now likely to withdraw his own vision for a "super casino" while he watched developments closely. He added: "Opening a single regional casino will be a way of testing the concept to see if it's successful in all aspects. "I was against it because the impact of this enormous monster would be huge on all the other casinos. "Even one in Blackpool would have an effect on us here in Liverpool, although I don't know how much. "I am pleased and relieved that there will now not be a regional casino in the city, as our business was at big risk." Yesterday's announcement is likely to also have an impact on two other companies: Liverpool-based gaming group Stanley Leisure, which was considering a bid to run all the new casino opportunities under the Government's relaxation of UK gaming laws, and MGM, who had also expressed an interest in opening a super-casino on the Kings Dock. The deal was welcomed by Mrs Jowell's Tory counterpart, Mr Whittingdale. "Regional casinos are an entirely new concept for the UK and there are real fears about the impact they may have on crime and gambling addiction," he said.. "We have therefore told the Government that we will accept the establishment of just one regional casino as a prototype, in order to assess its impact. "Its location should be a leisure resort where the regeneration potential is greatest. The case for locating such a casino in Blackpool is very strong. "The Government has accepted our proposal and on this basis we are willing to allow the Bill to complete its passage." The Bill will contain a provision allowing a future government to raise the number of regional casinos back up to eight, if there is an affirmative vote in both Houses of Parliament. The Bill is intended to strengthen the regulatory regime with the creation of a powerful new Gambling Commission, which will for the first time control new forms of gambling such as internet betting. alanweston@dailypost.co.uk | 
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