A giant casino in Glasgow will not open until autumn – more than a year later than expected.

London Clubs International is building the huge venue on the south bank of the River Clyde at Springfield Quay.

With floor space bigger than a football pitch, the LCI development will become Scotland’s biggest casino complex, and include several restaurants and bars.

Such is the size of the project it’s likely to be as big as the UK‘s first super-casino, which Glasgow is still in the running for.

The main difference is the LCI development won’t be allowed the 1250 unlimited-jackpot gaming machines permitted in the pilot regional‘ venue, which bookmakers think will be awarded to the former Millennium Dome in London.

LCI, which runs 10 casinos in the UK and abroad, had originally hoped the Glasgow venue would be open by summer 2006.

Work began at the site in 2005, but completion has been delayed while LCI concentrates on finishing three similar new-build venues in Manchester, Leeds, and Nottingham.

A spokesman for LCI said the Glasgow casino was „on schedule to open in the autumn“.

He said: „We are confident the casino, restaurants and bars will attract thousands of clients, not only from Scotland, but also the growing number of tourists who visit Glasgow.“

The LCI spokesman said the Springfield Quay complex – which has yet to be named despite early indications it would be called The Rendezvous – was being fitted out to the highest standard and developers did not want to rush the build.

No other reasons were given for the delay.

LCI has said the Quay casino would be about more than gambling, and „not an intense gaming environment“. Instead, the firm says it’s looking to provide „a relaxed, smart atmosphere“ which will attract visitors other than gamblers.

Original plans for the casino showed a three-storey art deco-inspired building with two restaurants, linked to a car park including 100 valet-parking spaces.

Meanwhile, the decision on which city will get the single super-casino licence will be announced a fortnight today.

Failure by Scotland’s biggest city to be awarded the Las Vegas-style venue would limit LCI‘s competition for at least five years.