Bets are on for new casino in UK

A council spokesman said: "We want to see the casino as part of a wider major leisure and entertainment destination which contributes to regeneration and creates jobs for local people."

Newham is one of eight councils in England to be authorized to issue a large casino licence under the Gambling Act 2005. The new casinos will have up to 150 slot machines with a maximum jackpot of us$ 5,919. Plans for the gambling centres have already met with strong opposition from some quarters, however.

Former Newham Cllr Alan Craig, leader of the Christian People's Alliance, said: "Evidence from around the world proves that the worst places to have a casino have a high incidence of social deprivation."

The six bidders for Newham's super casino and their proposed sites are: Aspers, Westfield Stratford City; Apollo Resorts & Leisure, Silvertown Quays, Royal Victoria Dock; Genting Casinos, between Great Eastern Street and Broadway to the south of the Stratford Centre; Grosvenor Casinos, The Royals Business Park, Dockside Road; Great Eastern Quays Casino, Great Eastern Quays off Armada Way, Gallions Reach; and Churchill Lincoln & Mr Roberts, location to be confirmed.

A winning bid is expected to be announced by December 23.