This week, the UK government began the discussion on a code that will regulate how licenses for seventeen new Las Vegas-style casinos are granted. This means that the bidding war to run Britain’s first super-casino could start soon.

The code would require Manchester, the city chosen by the government’s advisory panel to host the super-casino, to organize an open competition, although it has already designated Kerzner International as its preferred operator. Local authorities in charge of awarding the licenses must ensure that all previous arrangements don’t affect the competition.

According to officials, Ministers intend to finish the code in time for local authorities to start the biddings in July. The mentioned code may require local authorities to consult local people before issuing invitations to apply for the super-casino license.

The companies interested in operating the super-casino in Manchester include Ladbrokes, Harrah’s Entertainment and Las Vegas Sands.