Opposition forces Government down to one super-casino

Ministers abandoned plans for a series of American-style "super-casinos" after agreeing to opposition demands to allow only one experimental project to go ahead.

Ministers abandoned plans for a series of American-style "super-casinos" after agreeing to opposition demands to allow only one experimental project to go ahead.

The Government accepted the compromise yesterday to prevent the Gambling Bill being lost in the scramble to secure the Government's remaining legislation before Parliament is dissolved for the general election. The Conservatives agreed to let the Bill pass after securing the deal.

John Whittingdale, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said: "We have always made clear there is much in the Gambling Bill we support. In particular, the establishment of a Gambling Commission and the regulation of remote gambling are necessary and uncontentious. It is important that these measures reach the statute book as soon as possible."

Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat culture spokesman, said: "We welcome this deal, which crucially allows for the rapid introduction of a tougher regulator whose remit will include internet gambling." Yesterday, Peter Hain said he hoped to pass 16 of the Government's 27 outstanding Bills, abandoning nearly half of the Government's programme, although sources suggested more legislation might win agreement before Parliament rises.

The ID cards Bill was dead after it was not scheduled for debate, while Mr Hain accepted plans to create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred would be dropped to ensure the Serious and Organised Crime Bill gets on to the statute book.

He also confirmed that the Road Safety Bill, which reforms speeding offences and the Consumer Credit Bill, which tightens the law on loan sharks, would be lost. Patricia Hewitt, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, also pledged to reintroduce the Equality Bill, which would create a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights if Labour is returned to power. But legislation to allow the building of the Crossrail east-west London rail link is likely be carried over to the next session of Parliament.