BUILDING the future prosperity of the Tees Valley around Britain's first super casino will not meet approval with everyone. Gambling has its negative connotations and the thrill of striving to hit the jackpot can easily lead to addiction.
But no-one can question the ambition and imagination behind the bid to bring a touch of Las Vegas to the area.
One of the more appealing characteristics of the Mayor of Middlesbrough, Ray Mallon, is his "aim for the stars - anything is possible" attitude. The North-East needs more of it.
And with Tees Valley Regeneration chief executive Joe Doherty giving the proposal solid business planning credibility, Middlesbrough might just pull it off, despite competition from the likes of Blackpool and Glasgow.
If it is successful, the prize for the Tees Valley is 2,000 jobs, a 10,000-seat arena, a hotel complex, and a leisure attraction which will make the area a place to visit for people from near and far.
The understandable concerns about gambling must be taken into account, and the promised safeguards put in place, but it is an opportunity that has to be pursued.
Who knows, if the Government says yes to Middlesbrough's super casino bid, and then gets its act together over a national ports strategy which favours Teesport's expansion, the Tees Valley could really be heading for the jackpot.
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