By Mark HeathTHE company behind an attempt to create a multi-million-pound super-casino in Britain has squashed rumours it may also be planning to site one in East Anglia.

By Mark Heath

THE company behind an attempt to create a multi-million-pound super-casino in Britain has squashed rumours it may also be planning to site one in East Anglia.

U.S. company Caesar's Entertainment wants to build a 650,000 sq ft development in London's Wembley - including 1,250 slot machines and 110 gaming tables - when controversial new gambling laws come in.

The casino, which would be the first of its kind in Britain, could offer slot machine jackpots of more than £1million.

But rumours that Felixstowe or others areas of the region could also be in line for a super-casino were dismissed yesterday by Caesar's Entertainment spokesman Andrew Tottenham.

Mr Tottenham branded the idea of Felixstowe turning into Las Vegas - fears voiced by opponents of the hotly-disputed new laws - as “ridiculous”.

He added: “It is a change in British life, but around the world it is not a huge change. This is about modernising legislation. It is about bringing Britain into step with the rest of the world.

“You are not talking about hundreds of regional casinos. You have to understand what the market will support and if the market supports about 20 regional, that is probably where it is about to land.

“This is about millions of pounds of investment, hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in areas needing regeneration and it is not about suddenly Felixstowe becomes Las Vegas and so on. That is ridiculous.”

Mr Tottenham stressed: “Caesar's has no plans for Felixstowe at all. This bill is about regional planning bodies deciding which areas need regeneration and investment and which areas have a market that would support a regional casino.

“I don't think Felixstowe would have the market for one. We have no plans at all for East Anglia from our company's perspective.”

Mr Tottenham's comments come as speculation mounted about plans for huge casinos in the region.

A number of establishments are already being planned on Ipswich waterfront and in Clacton and Newmarket, while Ipswich Town's Portman Road ground and Mildenhall Stadium may also house casinos.

mark.heath@eadt.co.uk