Duncan Bannatyne is looking to lure customers away from the mainstream leisure parks into 'casinos for the people' - opening up the casino market to everyone without the need for membership.

As the owner of Britain's biggest independently owned health club chain, Bannatyne has unveiled his plans to open five casino sites, under the banner Bannatyne's Casinos. Two sites are currently being weighed up - one at a Scottish location and the other is to be sited either in East Anglia or the north-east, Bannatyne's heartland.

A spokesperson for the company confirmed that Bannatyne is believed to be investing around £10m of his own money and has secured a £15m bank loan, which he sees as enough capital to back the five-strong chain. Details: www.bannatynefitness.com