Aspinall loses casino fight

John Aspinall, the gambling operator, was ordered to pay pounds 160,000 costs yesterday after losing his battle to block a gaming licence for a rival casino chain.

Mr Aspinall had asked Thames magistrates to refuse licences to five casinos owned by London Clubs International, arguing it was not a 'fit and proper' organisation.

Four of the London casinos were raided by police last year and the Gaming Board later started actions to cancel their licences. This week the board joined the Metropolitan Police to support London Clubs' application for new licences.