“The small print of Gordon Brown’s tenth budget confirmed earlier reports that operators will have to pay £5,000 annually for each of the 1,250 unlimited jackpot slot machines in the one resort casino which will be allowed under the new gambling act.

“At the other end of the scale, Blackpool’s pinball and video game machines will be exempt from amusement machine license duty (AMLD) altogether.

“?Potential developers have consistently said that any large investment in the UK would rely on cutting the current 40 per cent tax on gambling to 15 or 20 per cent.

“That did not happen in this budget and by next year’s budget the council which wins the golden ticket’ regional casino license is expected to be inviting formal tenders from potential operators?”