A CASINO for Worcester is still on the cards - but will have to wait until the Government overhauls gambling law.

Cheval UK received planning permission in September to turn the Bamboo nightclub into a casino.

At present they can only be built in one of 60 permitted zones - the nearest of which to Worcester is Birmingham - though that would change under the Government's Gambling Bill.

The draft rules, published last week, would allow the city council, rather than Parliament, to decide whether it wanted a casino to open.

"Until the new legislation goes through, Worcester is not a permitted area and we cannot advance things," said Ian Jones, agent for Cheval UK, which remains "in negotiations" with the nightclub, based in Cripplegate Park, St John's.

"With the new proposals those restrictions will be removed so all over the country they will be considering where are suitable locations for casinos."

Council leader Stephen Inman believed the authority would consider an application seriously.

"The council would welcome a variety of entertainment being provided in the city centre because our aim is to provide a vibrant and dynamic seven-days-a-week economy," he said.

"In principle, therefore, a well regulated casino is not something that would be opposed as such."