Las Vegas casinos and Online gambling

Prescott Questioned on Gifts from Anschutz

Parliamentary standards watchdog Sir Philip Mawer has questioned Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott on whether he accepted gifts from US casino tycoon Philip Anschutz who is bidding to turn London's Millennium Dome into Britain's first super casino.

Commissioner for Standards Mawer has increased the berth of his investigation into Prescott's stay at the Colorado ranch of Anschutz summer of last year to probe whether Prescott received any gifts and if he declared them in the Register of Members' Interests.

Prescott has been in hot enough water over his visit to the casino bidder's Colorado home.

In a letter to culture shadow secretary Hugo Swire, Sir Mawer confirmed that he would include in his inquiry the nature of the allegations that Prescott received an elaborate Wild West outfit during his stay at Anschutz's estate. He received a Stetson hat, a pair of leather boots and a belt with his initials on the silver buckle. It is believed to cost somewhere along $20,000.

"In light of reports alleging that Mr Prescott received gifts from Mr Anschutz, I have asked some questions of Mr Prescott designed to enable me to assess whether or not, if any gifts were indeed received, they were also registrable in the Register of Members' Interests," he told Swire.

Prescott was also questioned about the free football tickets he received while on a visit to Anschutz Los Angeles based Home Depot Center, as it is compulsory to register attendance of sport matches and entertainment events. Prescott did not declare going to the match.