by Renee Israel
After the Newham Council confirmed that it would be granting an operating license to Aspers to open the country's first 'large' casino, the losing bidders have threatened to challenge the decision in court.
The council announced that Aspers passed all the criteria that would require it to deliver and maintain the planned casino at Westfield Stratford City.
However, rivals say that locals have been 'short changed' by the decision, and that Aspers does not meet the criteria as claimed by the council.
The terms of the Gambling Act of 2005 state that applications to build a large casino should only be taken from areas from where there was 'a need for and ability' to create regeneration.
The losing bidders, City and Eastern Ltd. and Apollo Genting, wanted to open casinos at Silvertown Quays and Gallions Reach.
The director of City and Eastern, Fergus Kinloch said: "This is a wasted opportunity for the people of Newham."
He said that his group's scheme devised an "exciting and innovative leisure destination and residential community" which had the potential to regenerate that part of the borough by GBP 100 million.
"We are baffled as to why Newham would decide to put the casino in the part of the borough that least needs further regeneration," he said.
Apollo Genting said that it had focused 100% on matching its proposal to Newham's vision for the borough, including elements of job creation and creating a major leisure and entertainment destination.
The group said that it was "surprised and bemused" by the decision.
Aspers' new casino is due to open by the end of this year and will boast up to 150 slot machines.
