The Hippodrome Casino in Leicester Square has been granted London's only casino wedding licence.

And for the first year, the owner will give newlyweds a chance to win their wedding for free on the roulette tables after their ceremony.

The venue, which opened as a theatre in 1900 and re-launched three years ago as the UK's largest casino after a £50m restoration, will host weddings for up to 150 in its cabaret and music room.

The Hippodrome was recently named European Casino Operator of The Year. Its restaurant, Heliot Steak House, was also named Steak Restaurant of the Year by Bookatable.

The stage where couples can now get married is sited above the original performance space where Charlie Chaplin first appeared on the theatre's opening night, and has seen appearances by some of the world's biggest stars including Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Michael Jackson, Tom Jones and Stevie Wonder.

Although the rest of the Hippodrome is strictly for 18s only, the balcony in the cabaret room can be de-licensed for the duration of the wedding service. The law states that weddings must be open to both adults and children.

In keeping with the casino's on-going ambition to provide elements of Las Vegas throughout the venue, owner Simon Thomas is also looking for an Elvis impersonator who can officiate at future ceremonies, should couples require.

Said Thomas: "We will provide traditional weddings of course, but the Hippodrome is undoubtedly a venue for a more glamorous and unusual marriage ceremony. We're definitely more Vegas than Home Counties and will be auditioning for Elvis lookalikes who are willing to become official registrars who can legally perform the official duties.

"And for the first year, after the ceremony we'll give couples the chance to win their wedding for free by choosing a number on one of the roulette tables."

The Hippodrome Casino is the country's largest, and busiest, international-style casino. It has four floors of gaming including the UK's first PokerStars Live deck, an award winning restaurant, six bars, a 180-seat cabaret and music room and the West End's only 'indoor-outdoor' two-tier smoking terrace.