Council bets on Straiton for super-casino

The development would feature a hotel, restaurants, spa, car park and conference facilities, all centred around what would be Scotland's biggest casino complex.

Three Scottish councils are in the running for permission to build the super-casino, with applications also coming in from Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire.

Under new rules, only one super-casino will be built in Britain. Licences will also be granted for eight large casinos and eight smaller ones.

In all, 27 councils across the UK have applied for a super-casino, with Blackpool, already famed as an entertainment resort, believed to be the favourite.

Midlothian's proposed site is immediately south of the Edinburgh bypass at Straiton, close to the major retail park which includes Ikea.

The development could be as large as 5000 square metres, and would be allowed to have up to 1250 unlimited jackpot gaming machines, as well as card games such as black jack and poker, and the casino favourite, roulette.

Trevor Muir, chief executive of Midlothian Council, said: "We believe this proposal, which has an identified international operator in place, satisfies all aspects of the Casino Advisory Panel's criteria."

Glasgow City Council has earmarked three sites for its proposed casino, while

West Dunbartonshire's bid would see the super-casino built near Bowling, off the A82 route to Loch Lomond.

The final recommendation will be put to the Government for approval before the end of the year.