A nationwide gambling revolution begins today as Scotland's largest casino opens, paving the way for several more super-casinos.

Gala Casinos, which has 28 casinos across Britain, unveiled its 30,400sq ft ''state-of-the-art'' venue in Glasgow, claiming it would set the benchmark for the UK.

However, critics fear the city's ''casino craze'' will be detrimental to established bars and restaurants and will create thousands of gambling addicts across Scotland.

The new multi-million-pound Gala development, in Glassford Street in the Merchant City, is the first of a spate of massive casinos planned for the city in anticipation of the government's relaxation of gambling laws.

Nick Potter, managing director of Gala Casinos, said the venue would transform the traditional image of old-fashioned casinos as dingy, male enclaves.

He said: ''This is a modern, contemporary looking casino. The design is fresh and innovative and very female-friendly. We have produced something new and different.

''People can come here and enjoy a meal and a drink in a superb environment which compares very well with anywhere around us.''

At a preview event last night, the unsuspecting would have thought they had been dropped into the centre of Las Vegas, save for the profusion of Glaswegian accents. Revellers, both young and old, gathered to try their hand at the latest addition to the city's nightlife.

As well as the usual roulette and blackjack tables, budding gamblers could sample the latest touch-screen electronic gaming machines, available for the first time in Scotland.

About 650 guests, from the hardened poker player to the novice, packed the brightly-lit, spacious interior which was more reminiscent of an upmarket wine bar than a gaming den. For the hungry gamer, the food menu was displayed on hi-tech terminals across the venue and a wide variety of food on a pan-American theme was served.

Lynda McCoshan, an office worker from Dumbarton, was one of the first to try the facilities. She said: ''It is very impressive. There certainly seems to be a lot on offer for people coming here. Obviously, there is gambling but the restaurants and bars would also attract non-gamblers.''

Jamie Murray, 41, from Coatbridge, said: ''It's the first time I have been in a casino and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a fantastic atmosphere and everyone has been so friendly.''

However, the three-storey casino, which will open until 6am six days a week, has angered locals, who said it should not have been allowed in a residential area. Gordon Matheson, councillor for the area, said: ''On one hand, we're marketing Merchant City as Glasgow's cultural quarter. At the same time, we're permitting the accelerated growth of a 24-hour, tinsel-town economy. The two visions clash.''

The new venue is the latest casino plan to have been given the go-ahead in Glasgow in recent months, but there are fears that the ''craze for casinos'' could create up to 70,000 gambling addicts.

the chips are down

Existing casinos

l Gala Casinos at: Glassford Street, 528 Sauchiehall Street, 61 Broomielaw and

28a Tunnel Street.

l Stanley Berkeley Casino, 506/516 Sauchiehall Street.

Proposed casinos

l The Truffle Club in Drury Street, Glasgow's first lap-dancing venue, plans to become a casino.

l Kerzner International, the group who developed Sun City in South Africa, plans a (pounds) 162m casino and entertainment concept complete with

150-bed, five-star hotel near the SECC.

l An (pounds) 8m casino development called The Rendezvous is planned for Springfield Quay.

l A Las Vegas-style casino is planned for Ibrox by Sheldon Adelson, one of America's richest men.

l US-based MGM Mirage plan to open a super-casino at the Glasgow Harbour scheme.