13 Years On, Is Manchester’s Gaming Scene Still Unlucky to Miss Out on a Super Casino?

Under prime minister Tony Blair, there were cemented plans to bring a Las Vegas-style super casino to the city of Manchester. The aim of the build was to bring more employment to the area and enhance Manchester’s tourism presence. However, what appeared to be a sure thing ended up being thwarted under new leadership.

In the years since, even without a super casino, Manchester has evolved a great deal, introducing many different entertainment venues and places of value to residents and tourists. So, 13 years on from the initial troubles surrounding the creation of the Manchester super casino, was the city really that unlucky to miss out?

Super casino plans were never to be

Source: Pixabay

Somewhat fittingly, Blair announced his intention to resign as prime minister and Labour Party leader in May 2007, formally handing over leadership to Gordon Brown in June 2007 during a conference in Manchester. Shortly after, Brown got to work on officially dismantling the plans for Manchester’s super casino and plans for 16 other smaller casinos across the UK.

He had initially helped to stifle plans in March 2007 while Labour was beginning to transition to new leadership, with the government officially cancelling the plans some months after Blair’s resignation. What looked to be quite an exciting project for tourism and those who wanted a classy entertainment venue to visit was thrown away, but in its place, a different kind of gambling scene has developed which is proving to be more in line with modern Britain.

A bustling world of entertainment in Manchester

Source: Pixabay

A super casino may have been a major tourist attraction, and something that put Manchester on the map as a top UK destination outside of London, but in the years since, the city has developed a much-loved and suitable entertainment scene. Central to this is the Manchester235, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The luxury casino laid its roots in Manchester back in 2006, but according to venue director Mark Hands, even though the location was good, it wasn’t until ten years later that investing in the area came to fruition. Development around the luxurious gaming venue has brought in more footfall, further increasing its popularity as the go-to venue for an entertaining night out.

Casino gaming as developed a great deal since 2007, though, with the internet becoming another avenue for people to play classic and brand-new casino games. The online scene has taken off so quickly, in fact, that the sheer volume of platforms offering games means that they have to offer even more to new players, such as no-deposit bonuses, additional free spins, and bonus funds.

Given how much traction the luxurious but comparatively smaller venue of Machester235 has achieved as well as how many online options there are for those who just want to play casino games, it’s hard to gauge how if a super casino would have remained viable in tourist off-seasons with the change in times.

Looking back on the decision now, Manchester has done fine without the presence of a super casino, with its own land and online gambling offerings doing plenty to offer entertainment to locals and visitors.