YORK City's new supremo John Batchelor has unveiled ambitious plans to turn a new home for the Minstermen into a mecca for gamblers.

Negotiations between Mr Batchelor and City of York Council over two possible locations for a new multi-purpose stadium are taking place.

But speaking to the Evening Press, Mr Batchelor confirmed a casino will be incorporated into the designs of the new stadium.

The news comes just days after the Government launched a dramatic rethink of gambling laws.

The Gambling White Paper will provide the biggest shake-up of betting laws since the 1960s, and is expected to sweep away many of the restrictions imposed on the industry.

"It is something we have looked into very seriously," said Batchelor.

"The timing is nice because the rolling out of the changes in the gambling laws make it possible to be in a position to do that."

The City chairman has always maintained a move away from Bootham Crescent and the building of a new ground are central to his plans to transform the fortunes of the football club.

In order to be financially viable, Mr Batchelor insists football clubs must become seven-day a week enterprises rather than simply being used on match-days as they are now.

He has also previously stated that plans for a hotel, bars and conference facilities would be included in his stadium blueprint.

Mr Batchelor confirmed that negotiations with planning chiefs at the council over where the new ground will be built are progressing steadily.

"We want to put in a twin application for redevelopment at Bootham Crescent and for the new stadium, so both applications run alongside each other," he said.

"That gives everyone comfort that everything is going to happen. We don't want to be in the position where Bootham Crescent is redeveloped and we have nowhere else to go, or vice-versa."

Mr Batchelor's plan could even herald a return of the days more than 30 years ago when there were four city gambling clubs in York.

Before the restrictive 1968 Gambling Act, roulette, blackjack and card bingo had been enjoyed at venues including the 55 Club, Micklegate; the Society Club, Bootham; and at York's bingo clubs, the Mecca and the Clifton.

Updated: 11:28 Friday, March 29, 2002