Aspers Casino at Westfield Stratford City in Newham, London, which opened its doors to the public on Thursday, marks a new chapter in the history of the UK’s casino industry.

Noble Noble

The first of the country’s ‘large’ casinos to open following the passing of the 2005 Gambling Act, Aspers boasts 40 tables, 150 slot machines, 80 electronic betting terminals and a 150-seat poker room.

In an exclusive interview with InterGaming, the company’s chief operating officer, Richard Noble, said the Newham large casino licence – which was the subject of a legal challenge from rival bidders – was the “best opportunity” for a casino development in the UK.

“When people talk about regeneration,” Noble explained, “what Westfield, including ourselves, has brought to Stratford is immense. This is a £1.8bn development.

“We were in negotiations and working with Westfield from the very conception of Stratford City. The fact that it took the government and local authorities such a long period of time to start looking at these licences has meant we are opening our doors after Westfield has opened, but we absolutely see ourselves as a critical part of the Westfield leisure offering. That critical mass generates new revenues and employment opportunities and that in itself is regeneration for the whole of Stratford.”

The 65,000sq.ft casino is creating 440 new jobs and is able to offer the broadest range of both slot and table games anywhere in the UK, including the latest licensed slots from the likes of IGT and WMS.

Located on the edge of the Olympic Park, the casino isn’t simply an add-on to next summer’s games, Noble said, but part of what he hopes will be a lasting legacy for the region.

“With the Westfield and Stratford City development and what it is bringing to the area, it’s a fantastic opportunity and the more vibrant we can make the area the more chance we have of a achieving a legacy,” he said. “The Olympic facilities and new apartments will benefit the area but Stratford City, the Westfield complex and what we can do in terms of providing a new leisure option is why we chose to develop a casino in Stratford.”

Read the full keynote interview with Richard Noble of Aspers in the December issue of InterGaming.