Not so long ago the city of Glasgow had five casinos compared to the current twenty-three in London. It has now added the biggest and, according to Gala, Scotland's most exciting casino with the opening of 30,000sq.ft. of 'gaming heaven dedicated to your pleasure'.

The new gaming venue is the first in a series of planned developments that should certainly bring Glasgow a glitzy image far removed from its old one of gloomy tenements. There are five other projects in the pipeline: Kerzner International with a Ł162 million casino entertainment complex with 5-star hotel, London Clubs International with a Rendezvous Casino development, MGM Mirage at Glasgow Harbour, Rangers plan a huge gaming complex opposite Ibrox, and the Truffle Club wants to change from a lap-dancing venue to casino.

However, not all the residents of Merchant City are pleased with the Gala Group’s new venue. The casino will open Monday to Friday from mid-day until 6am the following morning, and on Saturday's from noon until 4am. These extended hours are seldom looked upon with favour in a residential area, and Merchant City lays claim to being Glasgow's cultural quarter.

Gala hosted a VIP party Wednesday night at their new Merchant City Casino and opened their doors to the public next day. Free food and drink vouchers and a prize draw for a Vauxhall Astra, now permitted by law, are being offered. People are still required to register 24-hours before entering the casino, although this rule should be dropped after deregulation. The casino offers 10 American Roulette, 8 card tables, 40 electronic roulette terminals and 50 slot machines plus restaurant and bar. The decor is contemporary and they aim to be 'female friendly' and present a fresh image away from the old club atmosphere.

The UK is awash with news of casino complex projects, even before the new regulations have been published. Newcastle, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Swansea are just a few of the cities making headlines. Sun International, Aspers, Kerzner International and MGM Mirage just some of the mega casino companies involved.

All the projects will bring jobs to the area where they are sited and entertainment for locals and tourists. One project in Birmingham is set to do more than that. Aspers, a group formed by Damian Aspinall and Kerry Packer – both famous names in gaming – is planning a Ł50 billion leisure complex at Brierley Hill. Much more than gambling will be on the menu. Eight restaurants, a theatre with audience capacity of around 1,000, a hotel and apartments are all part of the project. There is an additional draw to local residents - a purpose-built training facility in the High Street that should bring to many the opportunity to learn new skills.

If local planning and casino licensing applications are approved the leisure complex should be completed by 2007. Aspers already have projects underway in Newcastle’s The Gate and Swansea’s Salubrious Place.

Gaming in the UK is certainly getting a face-lift and it should prove more than cosmetic.

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