THE GOVERNMENT is expected to give the green light for a casino to be built in Southampton in the next two weeks.

An announcement is expected to be made that will formally scrap the idea of a super casino in Manchester but allow 16 smaller venues across the country, including one in Southampton.

As part of the consultation process letters are understood to have been sent to the devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland which outline the plans.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport insisted that no final decision had been taken and the letters were part of the consultation process.

As previously reported, Southampton City Council said it was still interested in receiving a licence for a 1,500sq m gambling venue following Gordon Brown's shelving of the super casino project last summer.

The Echo reported that the ruling Tories wanted to hear people's views but admitted they wouldn't necessarily listen to them.