Bermuda-theme casino just outside the US gambling capital of Las Vegas.

Allen Paulson, who owns more racehorses than anybody except Sheikh Mohammed, is decking out his 1,054 staff in Bermuda shorts and jackets.

His casino and 1,000-room hotel, called the River Palms Resort, is being repainted in pastel colours with a whitewashed roof.

The $300-a-night luxury hotel in Laughlin, Nevada, is also being lined with a forest of Bermuda palms and other endemic Bermuda plants.

There are even plans for some pink sand displays along the nearby banks of the Colorado River.

The giant hotel's bars, four restaurants and two take-away delis will serve Bermudian food and Island drinks like rum swizzles and Dark `n' Stormy's.

Hotel President Bob Kelley said the grand opening was scheduled for October 12. Miss Bermuda and her first and second runners-up have already been invited to be guests of honour in a huge glitzy ceremony.

Stars of the screen and racing world are also being lined up to attend on the night.

San Diego millionaire Mr. Paulson, 75, is the owner of the legendary thoroughbred Cigar, which won a record 16-straight races before retiring last year.

He also owns Gulfstream Aerospace, the largest commercial business jet firm in the US.

Mr. Paulson, a US Air Force pilot during World War Two, is said to have hand-picked the Bermuda theme because of his love for the Island following numerous visits.

Mr. Kelley added: "We are open now but we will be completing the Bermuda refurbishment some time around September 25. "One of the reasons we chose the Bermuda theme was because we thought Bermuda was a casually elegant place to be and we hoped that when we were open, we would have a casually elegant hotel that would do Bermuda proud.

"We are in the process of designing our staff costumes now but they will certainly include Bermuda shorts and jackets.'' The hotel, with 75,000 square feet of public space, reopened last October after being shut for nearly a year.

It used to be called the Gold River until it was bought out by Mr. Paulson in December 1996.

Mr. Kelley added: "The Bermuda refurbishment began in April this year and it's getting to look more and more like Bermuda every day.

"We really believe that when we are finished we will have the finest property in the Laughlin area.'' Zeth Landy, organiser of the Miss Bermuda Pageant, said Miss Bermuda Joanne Darrell planned to be at the River Palms' grand opening along with her two runners-up.

Mr. Landy and his assistant Andrea Daniels will also be in Laughlin for the all-expenses-paid trip.

Ron Garrett, of Las Vegas agents Party Planners, said: "Because the resort has a Bermuda theme and design, we would like to bring Miss Bermuda, the first and second runners-up and chaperones to Laughlin during the grand opening week, currently scheduled for October 12.

"A press party will be planned for their arrival at the airport as well as special appearances at events throughout the week.'' Joanne Darrell