Las Vegas-based casino operator Ameristar has announced plans to build a £240m regional casino at the West Quay in Southampton.

The company is hoping to obtain one of the eight licenses to build and operate a super casino and take advantage of the proposed changes in UK gaming law.

Ameristar has secured the support of the Southampton City Council (SCC) for the plans and is working together with Bravo Network – the council’s preferred developer for the site.

The casino would have 65,000sq ft (6,040sq m) of gaming space with 80 tables and around 1,250 slot machines.

Other facilities would include a 200-room luxury hotel, an 8,000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena with an Olympic sized ice rink, a luxury spa and around 20,000sq ft (1,860sq m) of conference facilities.

Craig Neilsen, chair, said: “Ameristar is pleased to participate in the regeneration of Southampton and this project will bring an outstanding new entertainment outlet to Southampton and the south of England.”

“It will also stimulate the local economy through capital investment, the creation of approximately 1,200 jobs and the purchase of millions of pounds of goods and services from the local and regional businesses.”

The casino is contingent on the receipt of planning approval and the passage of new gambling legislation.

Council leader Adrian Vinson said: “We are aware of the concerns that people have with the gambling bill and want to ensure that any development of this kind will bring the maximum benefits to our residents.

“I believe that the city should, at this stage, be clearly promoting its case as a location for a regional casino as it would create employment in the city, encourage more visitors to the city and assist the development of the port’s role in the cruise line business.”