It seems London is no longer the place to be these days for casino fans as regional cities continue to attract a host of new gambling ventures.

The Yorkshire city of Leeds is the latest venue for a state of the art £15 million casino which will be built on the eye cathcing waterfront.

The casino is due to open in September , the date coinciding with the unveiling of other leisure facilities which will form part of the larger £260 million Clarence Dock complex.

The Alea casino will boast bars, restaurants, corporate facilities and a private cinema to cater for all types of visitors, not just the gamblers who are expected to flock to the casino.

Clarence Dock is expected to feature over 1.2 million sq ft of living space and entertainment facilities once it is completed.

John Galvani, development director at London Clubs International/Alea stated: "Our new facility will set the bar for both product and design above anything Leeds has ever seen before. Alea will become the must visit leisure destination in Leeds."

Leeds was one of eight local authorities recently granted permission by the government to license large casinos. Manchester wasn't granted permission for a super casino.

Bosses Maria Slater and Adam Roberts already run Alea casinos in Manchester, Glasgow, Nottingham and Leicester Square, London.

Ms Slater said: "The old image of a traditional casino revolves around the seasoned gamer sitting at a table and being given free drinks and not very good quality food as he plays.

"We wanted to change that and came up with Alea concept.

"We want to attract people who wouldn't normally think of going to a casino for a night out. That is why we are offering very good quality food and drink in a glamorous but welcoming atmosphere.

"And for existing gamers they can still just come in and get on with it in their own comfort zone."

The ground floor entrance leads on to the first gaming floor with four tables and a Greek restaurant.

Two huge escalators take customers up into the main gaming hall which will house 17 tables offering roulette, blackjack, poker, and punto bano.

Suspended from the seven metre (21 ft) high ceiling are huge chandeliers and it has a two bars – one circular – and a restaurant.

Mr Roberts said:"We are trying to put a little theatre into a night out.

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