Conference Centre Considered For New Casino

Newham casino could be situated in Excel Centre, according to reports.

The Excel Centre has emerged as a leading contender to house the new casino project in the London borough of Newham.

According to the Stratford and Newham Express, bosses of the Docklands conference venue are currently in talks with members of the local authority over the development.

The Custom House centre has already revealed plans to add more bars, restaurants and a new auditorium by increasing its venue space by 100 sq m.

However, a council spokesperson said that "no preferred site" has yet been selected for the casino, which is one of eight large gaming venues included in the government's recent gambling legislation.

They told the newspaper: "The council will be running an open and transparent competition later this year to select an operator who will deliver a world-class leisure development.

"Newham has no preferred site but will ensure that any development generates the greatest benefit for local people, as part of our wider regeneration strategy to create jobs and other opportunities in the borough."

Mayor of London Boris Johnson launched the latest phase in the Excel Centre's development in October 2008, when work on its new 5,000-seat convention centre began.