The process to choose the location for the UK’s first supercasino begins today with the “examination in public” of The 02 site in Greenwich, London.

The series of public meetings, involving parties speaking for and against the controversial scheme, will be heard by the independent Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) and mark the first of a two-week string of hearings investigating the six other potential venues.

The former Millennium Dome site has been the centre of a dispute between Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and the Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy, in which the latter accused the entertainment giant of faking a letter of support for the casino, which was subsequently posted on the DCMS website.

This followed the criticism of deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for not declaring a two-night visit to AEG owner Philip Anschutz’s Colorado ranch last summer.

CAP released an interim ranking in July, which stated that Greenwich was the frontrunner to be awarded the supercasino, in a shortlist of eight sites.

Since then, Brent Council’s Wembley bid was withdrawn due to opposition from local residents, bringing the number of competing venues – including Blackpool, Cardiff and Manchester – to a total of seven.

CAP will make their final recommendation to culture secretary Tessa Jowell later this year, along with their suggestions for the 16 smaller casinos. Details: www.culture.org.uk/cap

Photograph: CAP’s recommendation for the UK’s first supercasino will be made to culture secretary Tessa Jowell later this year