Casino Swiss

Anschutz Had Dinner with Culture Secretary Jowell

Observers are abuzz with speculations after the billionaire Dome tycoon has entertained John Prescott and met officials and ministers involved in gambling regulations.

Only three months after Philip Anschutz entertained John Prescott on his Colorado ranch, he had dinner with Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell and has also met with other ministers involved in gambling reforms.

Jowell has disclosed to media that she has indeed discussed the subject of casinos with Anschutz, who is keen on opening Britain's first super-casino in the Dome.

Gambling minister Richard Caborn also met Anschutz at a dinner in October last year. Both dinners happened following Government's ruling to limit to one the number of regional casinos.

Sources have noted that there have been 15 occasions between 2003 and 2005 where Anschutz or his affiliates met ministers or officials from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

In a written parliamentary answer, Jowell said: "I attended a dinner at which Philip Anschutz was a guest." She added, "He (Anschutz) certainly talked to me about casinos, but got absolutely no information that was not freely available in the newspapers."

Jowell's revelation coincided with media inquiries over Prescott's free stay on Anschutz's ranch during his trip to the US last July.

Prescott's spokesman insisted that the trip was a "day off" and Prescott did not discuss business issues with Anschutz.