The government is determined to push through the Gambling Bill even if it has to wait until after the election, according to senior Whitehall officials.
The Bill would allow a limited expansion of large casinos and permit big foreign operators to launch in the UK.
A senior Whitehall official denied claims that Tessa Jowell, culture secretary, was preparing to abandon the Bill because of industry concerns. However, she is prepared wait until after the election rather than agree to concessions casino operators are demanding. The Bill returns to the House of Lords this week for its second reading.
References: Financial Times 21/2/05 page 4, The Times 21/2/05 page 7, The Independent 21/2/05 page 36
