A host of major firms are jostling for position in Manchester after the city was named as the surprise location for the UK's first 'super-casino'.

DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard are all expected to join the race to land roles on the controversial £250m project, which will generate substantial mandates across the regulatory, licensing, property and construction markets.

Other likely bidders include Cobbetts, Halliwells and Hammonds, while leading City firms are also expected to bid for roles on the high-profile venture.

The project is also likely to generate work for firms on the six-strong panel of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, which currently includes Hammonds, Beachcroft, Eversheds and Mace & Jones, as well as Wigan's Platt & Fishwick and Warrington practice Forshaws.

The new super-casino is likely to be housed at Manchester's flagship Sportcity complex, which hosted some of the major events during the Commonwealth Games five years ago.

The development, which is on the east side of the city, will also feature a swimming pool, a nightclub, a hotel and conference facilities, and is expected to generate investment that will create more than 2,500 jobs.

Manchester was last week named as the site for the new casino ahead of hotly-tipped bids from London and Blackpool, following a selection process led by the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP). The CAP was advised by the Treasury Solicitor's Department.

The project is expected to continue widespread redevelopment in the region. Advisers in Manchester have welcomed the decision, which will add fuel to the debate over the importance of location in securing work on high-profile regional projects.

Regional advisers are still smarting after losing out to Slaughter and May for the bulk of the plum roles for Manchester City Council when the city hosted the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

Pinsent Masons Manchester chief Carl Garvie told Legal Week: "This is a landmark project for Manchester and for the entire northwest region, and we will be vying for the work."

He added: "I see absolutely no reason why a project of this calibre will not be handled by the firms operating in this region."

The project looks set to further cement Manchester's growing status as a commercial and business centre, which has been bolstered by an extensive programme of redevelopment over the last 10 years.

The news comes after Cobbetts last year landed a blow for advisers based outside London by grabbing a role advising Peel Holdings on the £300m construction of the BBC's new Manchester base.