Caesar's Palace group eyes Dome

ROMAN centurions could be returning to the banks of the Thames after nearly 2,000 years with the news that the owners of Caesar's Palace are looking at the Millennium Dome as a future casino.

The giant Las Vegas group Park Place Entertainment, which owns Caesar's Palace, is understood to be anxious to gain a foothold in what it believes would be a lucrative British market by turning the Dome into a casino - if Parliament decides to relax the country's gambling laws.

It would mean doormen dressed as legionnaires and toga-clad waitresses, along with an army of slot machines and gladiatorial clashes in the shape of international boxing.

Deborah Munch, a vice president with Park Place, said that the company was 'very excited' at the prospect of opening a casino in Britain, but said she would not comment further until the Commons had voted on reforms to the 1968 Gaming Act.

The US-owned Anschutz Entertainment Group, which heads a rival consortium expected to bid for a 999-year lease on the 160-acre site in Greenwich, has said it would consider a casino as part of its redevelopment plans.

However, Lord Falconer, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Regeneration, refused to be drawn into discussing the possibility. He said: 'There have been a lot of stories over the years about the Dome. Buried in the story is that negotiations continue with Anschutz. Obviously Anschutz's proposal for the Dome is to make it an arena. We are talking with Anschutz about what their proposals are and their main proposal is for an arena. Our negotiations are on track.'

A Department of Culture Media and Sport spokesman said the White Paper issued on 26 March involved major changes to current regulations in the 1968 Gaming Act. He said: 'It means that there will be much less regulation in the gambling industry. For example, you will not have to register with a casino 24 hours before playing and prizes will be bigger. Casinos would also be allowed to offer live entertainment and alcohol on the gambling floor.'

Regulation for all gambling operators would come under a single organisation, the Gambling Commission, he added.