A NORTH-EAST ship is to become the first floating casino in the country after officials decided it was a safe bet.

The £2m plan will create 100 jobs for croupiers, cashiers, dealers and bar staff, who will be trained to operate black jack tables and roulette wheels aboard the Tuxedo Royale, at Middlesbrough.

Set to open late next year, the ship will also include a nightclub - smaller than the present one on board, which is famous for its revolving dance floor.

The Tuxedo Royale will be for over-25s and Absolute Casino director Tony Knox hopes it will broaden leisure options for revellers on Teesside.

"People tend to associate gambling with cruise ships and they like the novelty factor," said Mr Knox.

"This is completely unique and we are offering people an alternative to what is currently in the region."

"It will be of a very high quality, and that is what people come to expect in this day and age."

The ship will have a complete refit to upgrade the decor to that of a plush casino, but that will mean sacrificing the dance floor.

Absolute Casino is the sister company of Absolute Leisure, which runs the Tuxedo Royale and Tuxedo Princess, which is moored on the River Tyne.

The company decided to move into gambling when the Government announced it was relaxing the gaming laws.

Critics say the increased availability of gambling opportunities and the relaxation of casino membership rules will lead to more addiction.

But Mr Knox hopes the casino will regenerate the area and offer more diversity to people looking for a good night out.

He said: "With the market about to be deregulated, we saw this as a good opportunity to move into the casino market.

"There has been a big expansion in the leisure industry, but casinos have been held back by the old laws, but we think it will take off when the changes come into place."