UK -- As reported by Bloomsberg News: "The U.K. government will set an initial limit of eight Las Vegas-style super-casinos in its new gambling bill, to reduce opposition from members of Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour party.

"The 'pilot phase' of eight super-casinos will be announced to the committee of lawmakers examining the bill this morning by Sports Minister Dick Caborn, a government official who asked not to be named said.

"Twenty-nine of Labour's 407 lawmakers voted against the bill when it passed its first regulatory hurdle on Nov. 1.

"...The impact of the super-casinos will be assessed over an unspecified period of time to see whether they lead to an increase in problem gambling and whether they help to regenerate the areas where they're built, the government official said.

"...When a casino is built, the legislation provides for secret visits by Gambling Commission officials to make sure the facilities are complying with new rules forcing staff to check the age of gamblers.

"...The government will also carry out national audits of U.K. gambling behavior every three years, with the first audit taking place before the bill comes into effect...."