LONDON (AFX) - The government's Gambling Bill has received Royal Assent in the House of Lords, officials said.

The Bill allows for large expansion in the sector, but not as big as first envisaged by the government, which wanted up to 40 Las Vegas-style "super casinos" to be built.

However, after a revolt from Labour backbenchers and a threat from the Conservatives to scupper the Bill in the last week of parliament before the May 5 general election, the government caved in and agreed to allow only one of the larger casinos to be built.

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