An expert on the gambling industry has warned potential backers not to invest in casinos near North-East football grounds because of hooligans.

Gaming industry consultant Steve Donoughue claims it is "traditional" that fans drink as much as they can and fight at matches.

He has told American investment banks who could be prepared to back American casino companies that deals with football clubs are "ridiculous".

Mr Donoughue, a Durham Business School graduate who lived in Newcastle for seven years during the 1990s, is chief executive of London-based The Gambling Consultancy Ltd, which advises firms on the industry.

But businesses, fans and one casino firm planning to invest in the region attacked his claims. A planning application from Las Vegas Sands Inc. has been submitted for a £100m complex at Sunderland's Stadium of Light, creating 1,200 jobs, while Newcastle United have a deal with MGM Mirage.

Mr Donoughue said: "UK football fans, for a large majority of places, are escorted to the grounds by riot police, helicopters, police with dogs, police with full riot gear.

"It is traditional that the fans go to the pub first and drink as much as they possibly can. It is also traditional that after the match they go and have a punch-up with the away fans therefore the police remove the away fans.

Even in well-behaved clubs you still have the issue that in order to get rid of the hooliganism they've gone for families. Families are not going to go to the casino and drunken hooligans are not going to be allowed in the casino." Mr Donoughue admitted his views only apply to a certain section of supporters.

And he said: "I believe from my experience in Newcastle that crowds at St James's Park are some of the nicest, well-behaved and good sense of humour fans there are."

But he insisted regeneration - the main benefit cited by the Government for casinos - is not needed near football grounds, and they would have more benefit in former pit villages or a seaside resort such as Whitley Bay.

A source close to MGM Mirage - who have signed a deal with Newcastle United - said: "The very fact it's Newcastle United adds a lot to the deal with its status in the city. MGM Mirage is confident that subject to legislation, planning, and the future taxation regime the project will go ahead and it remains very excited about coming to Newcastle."

He said the firm is big enough to be unlikely to be concerned by investment bankers being warned to keep away.

A spokesman for Newcastle United said: "Mr Donoughue's comments clearly demonstrate a total lack of knowledge of the subject that he has been asked to comment on."

North-East Chamber of Commerce chief executive George Cowcher said: "I think associating it with a football club is in some respects sensible as it puts checks and balances on it.

"The football clubs in Newcastle and Sunderland are very well respected and would not want to be associated with anything that degrades the social fabric of the cities.

"I think his views about the conduct of football fans are out of date and unhelpful. He needs to make a more recent visit and see what's going on here."

John Holmes, director of regeneration and tourism at One NorthEast, which is likely to decide which bid will be the best deal for the region, said they would assess any casino application on its individual merits, to determine the best possible location to bring the maximum economic benefit to the region.

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Steve Donoughue's comments:

"UK football fans, for a large majority of places, are escorted to the grounds by riot police, helicopters, police with dogs, police with full riot gear."

"It is traditional that the fans go to the pub first and drink as much as they possibly can. It is also traditional that after the match they go and have a punch-up with the away fans therefore the police remove the away fans."

"Anyone who denies the fact the people who go to football matches meet at midday and drink before the match are obviously not going to the same football matches as me."

"The casinos are not going to want people drinking in football colours and there is a certain bad element that still exists in football."

"There is a whole lot of ritual with a trip to the football which doesn't fit in with a trip to the casino."

"If I was a casino operator I would not want things kicking off outside my door."

"I would be thoroughly surprised if any of the casino operators have been to a lot of football matches."

"I've been to Newcastle games a number of times in the 1990s and I had no experience of violence of any sort. I always use Newcastle fans as an example of some of the finest in the country."

"I believe from my experience in Newcastle that crowds at St James's Park are some of the nicest, well-behaved and good sense of humour fans there are."

"Whitley Bay would make a wonderful site for a casino. A casino in the town would just divert spending."

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Reaction

Football fans from the North-East hit out at Mr Donoughue's description of the "tradition" of matches.

Martyn McFadden, editor of Sunderland fanzine A Love Supreme, said: "I've been going to football matches all my life without having a single fight.

"I think he needs some kind of reality check.

"I've been to a few casinos all round the place and it's a good night out. It's something else Sunderland could offer.

"I'm sure myself and some of my mates would enjoy a night out there."

Journal jury member Ian Henderson, a Newcastle fan from Farnborough Close, Cramlington, said: "That might be the case with a tiny percentage of idiots, but the vast majority of supporters are well behaved.

"I can't remember the last time I saw any trouble at St James's Park."

Fellow jury member Iain Richardson, from Cromwell Avenue, Winlaton, said: "Maybe that was true in the Seventies and Eighties, but I think the days of punch-ups have gone. Yes, I go for a few beers before the game, but I can't see what that has to do with a casino."