Casino owner Damian Aspinall, son of the late John Aspinall, is holding talks with the Gambling Commission about launching a chain of upmarket poker clubs.

The multi-millionaire parttime conservationist, who is married to TV presenter Donna Air, is in partnership with James Packer, the son of the late Australian media tycoon and famed gambler Kerry Packer.
Aspinall, 46, and Packer, 39, have plans to develop venues with between 40 and 50 poker tables at each.

Aspers, their joint venture, is one of the favourites to win the first licence for a supercasino, which will be announced by the Government by the end of the year. The pair plan to open the casino in Cardiff.

A recent private-to-public share transaction by Packer put a value on Aspers of about GBP 200 million.