A giant casino set to open in Glasgow has been hit by another delay, but at least it now has a name. The gambling mecca which was due to open in summer 2006, will be called “Alea”, after an ancient Roman term for a game of chance.

Bosses of the complex, which will have floor space bigger than a football pitch and be Scotland’s biggest casino, are now recruiting. They want experienced or trainee card dealers, roulette wheel operators and cashiers to fill some of the 250 jobs the venue could bring to the city.

However, it has emerged the Springfield Quay development will not open until early next year, around 18 months later than originally expected. The Evening Times reported in June that delays had been blamed on „shoddy“ workmanship by developers, a claim denied by the builder. At that stage, owner London Clubs International was hoping for a mid-October opening.

But that date has now been pushed back to „early 2008“, more than two years after work began at the site. Alea has long been intended as the anchor of the Quay leisure development.

It is already home to an Odeon cinema and food outlets, but on the back of LCI confirming it would open the casino, three other restaurants signed up, as well as hotel operator Etap, which opened its 165-room building this month.

LCI spokesman said: „When the casino opens it will be one of Scotland’s top entertainment venues and we are sure it will become one of Glasgow’s most celebrated landmarks. Our hope is the majority of our staff will be local and we will be most disappointed if that is not the case.“