Talking of AEG, all eyes are now on the live entertainments conglom with regard to their Millennium Dome site in East London, what AEG and their sponsors like to call The O2. The music venue complex due to open there next year is intended as one part of a wider entertainment village, with the UK's first super casino at its heart. But as you may well have seen, the government is only allowing one supercasino and, in something of a surprise decision, the committee appointed to decide where that supercasino should be have opted for Manchester.
AEG say the news does not affect their plans with regards opening the O2 music venue, but analysts say that, while the casino decision may not affect their launch plans, it will affect their revenue projections for the overall Dome site. And that may affect the overall viability of the wider project. Certainly Greenwich Council's proposal to the Casino Advisory Panel used as an argument for why it should get the supercasino the fact that the long term success of the Dome site depended on it.
Over and above stating that they remain committed to the O2 music venue, AEG have yet to properly comment on the supercasino decision, saying simply that they are "examining the findings" of the CAP, and "considering their position". Insiders say that it is strongly felt that the scandal that surrounded the friendship between Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and AEG owner Philip Anschutz, a friendship which some said gave AEG an unfair advantage, actually worked against them because the CAP didn't dare go with the Greenwich plan because of the risk of corruption allegations. Some media are now reporting that AEG may take legal action over the decision.
Meanwhile, officials in Blackpool have publicly voiced their disappointment at missing out on the supercasino licence, something they hoped might help boost the flagging seaside resort's fortunes. They too may appeal the decision through one route or another.