Birmingham FC had hoped the council would recommend their bid for consideration by the government’s advisory panel, which will go on to select one site in the UK to host the country’s first ‘super casino’.

But despite repeated assurances from Karen Brady, chief executive of Birmingham FC, that the football clubs bid was superior to that of the NEC, the council disagreed, and today voted in favour of the rival bid.

Speaking after the decision, council leader Cllr Mike Whitby said: “We believe that in recommending the NEC bid we have created the best opportunity of winning the bid for a regional ‘super casino’ for the city region.”