The UK's first super casino

Manchester has been chosen as the surprise location of the UK's first "super-casino". But what are super-casinos, and why are they so controversial?

What are super-casinos?

The Gambling Act 2005 allows for three new types of casino, the most controversial of which is the regional or "super-casino".

The main variation between the three types - the super-casino, large casino and small casino - is the size of the customer area allowed, the number of slot machines and size of the jackpot.

The super-casino will have a minimum customer area of 5,000 sq m and up to 1,250 unlimited-jackpot slot machines.

The government also expects the super-casino to have hotels, conference facilities, restaurants, bars and areas for live entertainment.

Las Vegas, in the US - the gambling capital of the world - has 30 such casino and hotel complexes, according to the Good Gambling guide website. more.....