Today, Tuesday, the Government's Casino Advisory Panel recommended ELDC should be awarded a licence to operate a small casino.
Now ELDC must wait to find out whether Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell MP and Parliament will approve.
ELDC chief executive Nigel Howells said: "It's very much a major improvement for our coastal resorts.
"What we will be doing in the meantime is developing criteria against which we will choose our final developer and site."
Six possible sites in the district have been identified so far, four in Skegness, one in Ingoldmells and one in Mablethorpe.
Three potential operators are also in the frame, Butlins, Skegness, Fantasy Island, Ingoldmells, and Southview Leisure, Skegness, and many more could come forward.
Mr Howells said there would be extensive consultation within the community to develop the best casino package to benefit and boost the district.
He said: "There will be a process by which we will vet potential casino operators and they will either pass or fail."
"Nobody is just going to build a casino. It's going to part of a complex which might include a hotel, restaurants and other facilities."
It is hoped this type of development will attract private sector investment and create hundreds of a jobs.
But some people are concerned a casino could create problems of gambling addiction.
Mr Howells assured: "All the operators and council are working with an organisation called Gamcare whose purpose is to minimise the downside of gambling and provide help and support to the very few people who might get into trouble as a result."

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