Arena Leisure Plans Racino

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the UK Independent: "Arena Leisure, the racetrack operator, outlined plans yesterday to build Britain's first ;racino', a combined racing and casino venue, in Wolverhampton.

"Mark Elliott, the chief executive, said he would submit a planning application in the next couple of months for Wolverhampton racecourse to expand the existing hotel from 54 beds to 170, build a new leisure complex with a swimming pool and incorporate a casino within the racecourse.

"At a cost of £20m, the 'racino' would be the first of its kind in the UK; the US and Canada already boast about a dozen. Unlike many other racecourses in Britain which are in rural areas, Wolverhampton racecourse is in the city centre and therefore a good candidate to be combined with a casino.

"Wolverhampton City Council has been shortlisted for one of the eight large casino licences up for grabs under the new Gambling Act…"