Jim Cunnigham was hoping to raise the limit from one regional casino (or ‘super-casino’) to eight, but his bid was crushed by 240 votes to 55 after fierce opposition from the Conservative Party.

Members of the opposition accused Jim Cunnigham of doing the Labour Party’s dirty work, saying he was trying to test opinion on behalf of ministers as to whether they could get away with increasing the upper limit on the number of regional casinos without risking a political backlash. It looks like they have their answer.