Executive slated as Glasgow casino bid fails

A LACK of support from the Scottish Executive was last night blamed for Glasgow missing out on hosting Britain's first supercasino at Ibrox, the ground of Rangers FC.

Steven Purcell, the leader of Glasgow City Council, said he was disappointed that the city would lose out on the 26 million of investment, a potential 2,500 jobs and 600,000 tourists. "I have no doubt that stronger support from the Executive would have made a difference to the bid," he said.

"I am disappointed at losing the bid. I think we made a good case, a compelling economic and social case."

Privately, Labour blames its Liberal Democrat coalition partner for scuppering the bid, with Manchester winning the right to host the supercasino. The Executive could not come out in full support of the plans because of its internal split, and left it to local authorities to campaign.

In its final report, the Casino Advisory Panel said that while support had been expressed from other councils, including Edinburgh, "little support is given at the level of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise support is not obviously specific to Glasgow".

The Scottish Executive defended its position by saying that local councils were best-placed to decide on the suitability of any casinos.

Glasgow City Council has said it will probably reapply if the government allows further supercasinos after an assessment of the impact in Manchester.