Visitors to Brighton Marina can see the shape of things to come as the first stage of the Waterfront development nears completion.

Workmen have already erected the steel frame of the marina's flagship £3 million casino.

It is expected to be open by the end of the year and a large part of the work is steadily taking shape.

The venue, which will be called the Rendezvous Casino Club, will form part of The Waterfront, a new £15 million building containing shops, restaurants and a 100-bedroom hotel.

London Clubs International, which owns the new 1,700sqft casino, predicts it will be the best venue of its kind outside London.

It will offer a wide range of stakes and games, dining rooms, bars and lounges and a private room for very affluent customers.

It is expected to create 150 new jobs.

Casino owners in Brighton and Hove have objected to the new venue, arguing they already have space at their gaming tables.

However, the London firm, which owns casinos worldwide, believes the gamble will pay off.

It sees Brighton as a prime tourist spot and has not ruled out further plans to create an American-style hotel casino in the town.

A proposal to build one in Blackpool has already been submitted to the Government's Gambling Review Body.

The huge hotel would be called The Pharaoh's Palace and will have 500 rooms, a casino and conference facilities.

If it gets the go-ahead, a similar development in Brighton is possible because of its popularity with daytrippers from London and the South-East.

The firm has also welcomed a recommendation by the Gaming Board for Great Britain to change in the law so people no longer have to wait 24 hours after joining a casino to play.

Geoffrey Adlam, who has been appointed general manager of the new casino, said: "This would benefit Brighton by allowing day trippers and conference delegates to visit its casinos immediately."