Jobs are on the cards for Bermuda's musicians and artists -- at a Las Vegas casino.

Bermudian groups have jammed the switchboard at the River Palms Resort in Laughlin, Nevada, asking for chances to perform at the hotel.

The complex, nearing the end of a $20 million refit to give it a Bermuda theme, is already planning to buy work from Bermudian painters.

They are also ready to hear demos or give auditions to Island groups who want to gamble on a new career at the casino.

River Palms marketing director John Strickland said: "I have spoken to a number of people who have offered us art, music or other services.

"We have actually discussed working with quite a few of them. There are a couple of music groups we would like to have come over and perform.

"One of them is the Tropicana Steel Band, who sent us some promotional material.

"Plus we have heard from quite a few artists who have proposed selling their prints to us for the hotel rooms and around the property. We are now looking at all these possibilities.'' Mr. Strickland confirmed he had also heard from the Bermuda Department of Tourism's officials in Manhattan.

They are interested in putting Bermuda brochures in the hotel.

But Mr. Strickland added: "I haven't discussed cross-promotion with them yet although I have had some correspondence from them.

"I will be replying as soon as I possibly can.'' Hotel president Bob Kelley said the casino's grand opening -- to show off its Bermuda redesign -- had been put back four days to October 16.

He added a five-day, all-expenses-paid trip had already been arranged for Miss Bermuda Joanne Darrell, her two runners-up, and Bermuda Pageant organiser Zeth Landy.

"We would really like them to be present for our grand opening,'' he said.

"Their schedule is to arrive on October 14 and they will stay until the 19th.

We are also trying to arrange for some celebrities to be at the opening but as things stand, I'm not sure who they will be.'' Mr. Kelley runs the hotel for multi-millionaire owner and San Francisco businessman Allen Paulson.

Mr. Paulson is the world's second biggest breeder of thoroughbred racehorses, behind Sheikh Mohammed, and his world-famous horse `Cigar' won a record 16 straight races.

Mr. Paulson chose to redesign the River Palms, formerly called the Gold River, because of his fondness for Bermuda.

His 1,054 staff are being decked out in Bermuda shorts and jackets and the 1,000-room hotel is being repainted in pastel colours with a whitewashed roof.