Ian Simpson, the designer of Manchester鈥檚 proposed super-casino, has voiced frustration that he will have to retender for the contract because of Gambling Commission rules.

Speaking after the announcement that Manchester鈥檚 bid had been recommended by the Casino Advisory Panel, Simpson said: 鈥淲e have to work with the process. It鈥檚 frustrating, but that鈥檚 life.鈥

If Tessa Jowell, the culture secretary, accepts the advisory panel鈥檚 recommendation, Manchester council will have to retender for a developer and an operator.

Simpson said he expected to continue working with Ask Development and American casino operator Kerzner International, the team that the council selected for the project two-and-a-half years ago.

Stephen Crow, the chairman of the advisory panel, said his group鈥檚 decision to recommend Manchester had been swayed by the impact that a resort casino would have on the depressed

area in the east of the city around the Commonwealth Games stadium.

The recommendation was a bitter blow for Blackpool and the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich, which were widely seen as the frontrunners.

Both are understood to be considering legal challenges to the panel鈥檚 recommendation.

We have to work with the process. It鈥檚 frustrating, but that鈥檚 life

Ian simpson

Ian Mulcahey, principal at architect Gensler, which designed the unsuccessful Blackpool bid, said: 鈥淭his is bitterly disappointing for all who have worked so hard to bring regeneration to Blackpool.

This licence was considered a key part of Blackpool鈥檚 regeneration effort.鈥

Ken Livingstone, London mayor, said he was going to continue to lobby for the casino to be located at the Dome.

The super-casino will be allowed a minimum gambling area of 5,000m2 and up to 1,250 unlimited jackpot machines.

The panel also awarded licences to a eight local authorities to build and operate 鈥渓arge鈥 casinos, with a minimum customer floor area of 1,500m2.

These will be located in Great Yarmouth, Kingston-upon-Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newham, Solihull and Southampton.