Ladbrokes, the bookmaker, has confirmed that it will be bidding to operate the regional casino in Manchester and “several” of the other 16 small and large sites across the country.

The announcement was made in the company’s preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2006, which showed a 7.7 per cent increase in operating profit to £268.1m.

US gaming companies Las Vegas Sands and Harrah’s International are also thought to be preparing bids for Manchester and Manchester City Council has already said that Kerzner International is its preferred operator.

However, under the conditions of the Gambling Act 2005, there must be a fair and open competition to find the casino operator, regardless of whether they had already named a preferred partner.

Some commentators have predicted that the bidding war could begin as early as July, subject to a Commons vote next month on whether Manchester should indeed be the home of the UK’s first supercasino.

Political support for the Casino Advisory Panel’s surprise suggestion is waning and according to the Financial Times, 74 MPs – including 58 Labour backbenchers – have signed a parliamentary motion backing Blackpool.