Olympia casino team is named

ONE of London's largest casino projects is moving ahead with Earls Court & Olympia and MGM Mirage Partnership appointing planners, architects, legal and traffic consultants to work on a planned £150m complex earmarked for the Olympia 2 exhibition centre.

A planning application is expected next year for MGM Grand Olympia, described as 'a spectacular entertainment destination' of over 250,000 square feet. Plans include restaurants, bars, bingo facility, a race and sportsbook betting venue and other leisure facilities.

The professional team includes planners Hepher Dixon, architects John McAslan and Partners, traffic consultants Colin Buchanan and Partners, and Clive Newberry QC.

The move to appoint advisers came as the government unveiled its latest update on the Government's planned gambling deregulation.

A ruling to restrict £1m jackpot fruit machines to only the largest casinos is likely to benefit new American entrants to the UK market.

Earls Court & Olympia Group said the rejuvenation of the Earls Court & Olympia exhibition facilities depended on the proposed casino going ahead.