Manchester United axes supercasino proposal

Manchester United Football Club (MUFC) has confirmed that its proposal to build a Las Vegas-style supercasino entertainment complex on a site adjacent to Old Trafford has been dropped.

The supercasino had been planned as a joint venture with the US gaming group Las Vegas Sands Corporation (LVSC) and would have included a five-star hotel and a health club.

MUFC’s commercial director, Andy Anson, said: “While we maintain strong relationships with both LVSC and Trafford Council, we have decided jointly with LVSC not to progress the proposal at this stage.”

The club refuted claims that the proposal was axed as a result of government plans to allow only one ‘test’ supercasino in England at a location yet to be decided, instead of the originally proposed eight sites, following a compromise in May to secure the passage of the Gambling Bill.

While it is anticipated that the number of supercasino licences will eventually be raised by the government, it is understood that MUFC preferred to use the resources elsewhere.

The club also stressed that the end of the deal had nothing to do with Malcolm Glazer’s £790m takeover, which was not completed until after the original casino plans had been confirmed.