Anschutz Chance at Super Casino Dims

The chances of Denver casino tycoon Philip Anschutz to bag the license to build Britain's first super casino may be dimmed by the political turmoil that his friendship over Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has caused, said Parliament member Malcolm Moss Wednesday.

"I think this is thoroughly dead. With all the pressure now, the papers will have a field day because of the links with Prescott, Anschutz and (Anschutz company) AEG," said Moss, a House of Commons member who monitors government actions in gambling and tourism for his party.

Moss added that if the panel should favor the Millennium Dome, other applicants would claim that Anschutz had been given special favors by Prescott, and might result in litigation. The Millennium Dome is owned by Anschutz. Moss is a member of Britain's Conservative party, the opposition of the Labor party government of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prescott.

"It's accepted that the Prescott affair means Anschutz doesn't have the faintest chance of getting a license," said a representative of a British business who requested anonymity.

"From the point of view of the other casino operators, they are cock-a-hoop that this has happened because it means that Anschutz is out," he said, using British slang for "elated."

The issue started when Prescott allegedly violated conflict of interest rules by visiting Anschutz's Colorado estate, followed by the disclosure that they had met up on six other occasions. Blair, however, remained at Prescott's defense, saying that he has not yet seen evidence that his deputy interfered in any way in the casino selection process.

Anschutz spokesman Jim Monaghan declined to comment on Moss' statements, likening the row to a political "food fight".