A legal dispute has arised over the awarding of a casino licence for a location near the Olympic Stadium site in east London has raised concerns over the plans of using gambling to stimulate the urban regeneration.
The Newham Council has decided to grant the casino contract at Westfield Stratford City shopping centre to the entertainment firm Aspers. Rather than granting in to the two rival bidders. This is to be the subject of a judicial review.
Great Eastern Quays Casino (GEQ) is one of the losing bidders. They have has lodged an application challenging the council to explain why the decicion making prcedure was held “behind closed doors”. and also whether sufficient funds will be allocated to develop homes and enterprise in a deprived area of the capital. The other unsuccessful bidder, the Apollo company, is also considering launching a judicial review.
