The owners of UK football team Leeds United have confirmed they are in talks with potential operators for a casino at Elland Road stadium.
LUFC revealed that it would not be operating the casino itself and would instead seek a specialist partner to run the facility. Initial conversations have already taken place with several possible partners, it said, adding that further discussions are in the pipeline.
“The potential of the casino coming to Leeds United is an exciting one and fits perfectly within our business plan of increasing revenue streams on non-match days, both in isolation and to complement, either our existing facilities or those that are planned,” said Shaun Harvey, LUFC chief executive. “The increase in non-match day income will allow us to further invest on the field to see the return of Premier League football at Elland Road.”
LUFC plans to develop the stadium’s West Stand to include a 3,500sq.m casino across two floors. Under the 2005 Gambling Act, a large casino can have up to 150 slot machines and a gaming area of at least 1,000sq.m.
The English Championship club is one of four organisations to apply for Leeds’ large casino licence. The other interested parties are Global Gaming Ventures, Grosvenor Casinos, London Clubs International and Rushbond.
Leeds City Council plans to hold a hearing in July, after which successful applicants will be invited to stage two of the process. The second stage is expected to be concluded by spring 2013.
