While the Welsh were celebrating the opening of the country’s biggest Casino in Swansea last night there were celebrations in Scotland for similar but less grand reasons.

Fountainbridge, a suburb of Edinburgh, has finally been granted permission for a new casino after previous applications were rejected three times, most recently in October.

After councilors kept refusing Grosvenor Casino's application to build a new gaming hall, the chain took its case to the sheriff court, where it was finally given approval.

The casino had had its application rejected so many times as councilors said that the area did not need any more gambling establishments.

But Grosvenor's lawyers claimed the new casino would be "very different" from existing gambling dens. The casino plans to run 50p bet nights and some free casino sessions.
Lawyers for rival casino chain Gala had argued that there was no justification to build an extra casino in the city, as there was "insufficient demand" for more gambling facilities in Edinburgh.

They added that there was also no need for another casino in the area as a new facility had recently opened at nearby FountainPark - which was only granted approval after operators Stanley Casinos agreed to close down one of their other city premises and transfer the licence to their new casino.

But new licensing board chair Councillor Marjorie Thomas said she thought there was sufficient demand. She added that the board should "use its discretion" and grant the licence, as it would provide extra competition for the city's casino industry.

Eventually Councilors voted six to two in favour of the new casino after Sheriff Gordon Liddle criticised previous rejections of the application.

At a cost of £17 million, the new complex will now be built on the site of the old Mecca Bingo Hall and will include a cafe, sports bar and poker room.

However, the Grosvenor will still have to apply for another licence before the casino can start trading