Britains Biggest Casino Operator Doubles Profit

Britain's biggest casino operator, Stanley Leisure, today reported a doubling in its annual profits, boosted by record attendance at its provincial casinos.

But Stanley, which is holding merger talks with rival London Clubs International, said a number of large losses to major clients had narrowed its win margin.

Stanley's international betting operating also suffered from doing much of its World Cup business on the Italian team, the eventual winner. The results of many of the games were not good from our point of view and have led to a negative contribution from this tournament. However, the company saw a surge in business in its casinos outside London after the government deregulation the casino sector in October.

Stanley's London casinos suffered a drop in visitors and weak revenues following the July bombings last year, but attendance levels recovered in the second half. Stanley said that merger talks London Clubs were continuing London Clubs operates six casinos in the UK, with one new application in the pipeline, and approved projects under way in Glasgow, Manchester, Nottingham, Leeds, Blackpool and Leicester Square in central London.

With deregulation of the gaming sector, 17 new licences will be awarded, including one for a Las Vegas-style "super casino". These new casinos will have an increased number of machines and Stanley intends to apply for all 17.