Four bid for first time Canada casino

Century Resorts International, Marriott Hotel International, Navegante Group and ADI Group are among partners in four consortiums vying to build and run the first casino in the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

Details on the groups and their plans won't be revealed until five government committees pick a winning proposal, perhaps in May. The panels will assess the contenders' finances, gaming expertise, development prospects and plans for facilities that might include hotels, recreation and harness racing. "At that point we'll be able to identify and provide more details about where exactly these proposals are located and which one will be the successful bidder,” says New Brunswick Finance Minister Victor Boudreau.

The casino operator will receive a 20-year license. Opening is projected by May 2010.

The maritime province's government expects to receive about USD 25 million a year from the privately operated casino, which could have up to 800 slot machines.

Some observers doubt that forecast because, they say, the casino will probably draw mostly local players, not tourists. The provincial lottery commission's request for proposals last November called for developing a destination casino, however.

The casino plan is part of a new New Brunswick gaming policy aimed at reducing the number of video lottery terminals operating in the province, partly to benefit the casino.

No more than 20 percent of New Brunswick VLTs will be allowed within about 100 kilometers of the casino.