In April last year Aspers removed membership requirements and last December it started opening round the clock. Its 500,000 customer figure last year was a rise of 40% on the previous year. On a busy Saturday it can attract 3,000 people, with up to 600 customers at it busiest point, with the average spend being £25.

Mr Aspinall said: “We have helped dispel the myth about gaming venues. They are no longer viewed as smoke-filled, seedy gambling dens.

“One-third of our customers are women, compared to just 2% in the UK’s other casinos. There are a lot of fun things going on and many people who come do not gamble. No one had done it before and no one believed it could work.”

Mr Aspinall outlined why he had chosen the North East to try out the concept. “There were three things we were looking for: a major city, a vibrant city and the right location. Newcastle fitted the bill perfectly and we found the right location at the price.”

Aspers group chief operations officer Richard Noble, based at the Gate, said: “We have become a destination venue and we provide a range of first-class entertainment.” Aspers will not open any more venues until it has visibility out of the recession, but its senior management team at Newcastle will be key players in its development.

Aspers was the nickname of Damian’s father, the late John Aspinall, who founded the UK’s first gaming club in 1962.

One-third of our customers are women, compared to just 2% in the UK’s other casinos.