Government plans to relax gambling laws have been welcomed by Brighton's largest casino.

Under the proposals, casinos will be allowed to open round the clock and the 24-hour embargo between joining a casino and being allowed to gamble there will be removed.

The provisions come in the long-awaited Gambling Bill, published yesterday. It will pave the way for massive new casinos with unlimited jackpots and allow them to advertise for the first time.

Limits on the number of casinos allowed will be removed but there will be more restrictions on granting licences. Slot machines will be banned from fast food outlets and minicab offices.

Roy Ramm, of London Clubs, which owns Rendezvous Casino at Brighton Marina, said the changes were well overdue.

He added: "Being able to advertise will allow us to disprove many of the misconceptions about casinos."

Critics fear an increase in gambling problems.

If the Bill becomes law, internet gambling would be controlled for the first time and an industry regulator would be established. The body would oversee the operation of gaming machines.

A spokesman for the Palace Pier, which has hundreds of gambling machines, said its owner, Noble Corporation, was assessing the effects of the new laws.

The Gambling Bill is to be fast-tracked through Parliament so it could become law before next year's expected general election.