IT WAS Las Vegas-style showtime for the opening of Scarborough's new £7 million Opera House Casino.

More than 800 invited guests turned up for the high-kicking razzmatazz celebrating the town's largest single leisure investment.

All were given a preview of the restaurant, three bars, gaming tables and electronic touch bets that 5,000 members will enjoy from today.

The casino is the first to open since the Government changed gaming legislation on October 1 and is privately owned by Scarborough company Nikolas Shaw Ltd.

Entrepreneur and director Nikolas Shaw said: "The opening marks the culmination of three years hard work. Our team of experts have made sure the venue is the most luxurious casino in Britain.

"It is great to see the membership numbers break records."

The casino, on the former site of the Royal Opera House in St Thomas Street in the town centre, is one of only eight privately-operated casinos in the UK.

The venue is open for gaming between 10am and 6am daily except Sunday, when the venue closes at 4am.

Updated: 12:07 Thursday, October 27, 2005