Plans for a new casino as part of a wider leisure and entertainment complex to be developed on the outskirts of Birmingham have been handed a boost by local councillors.

Genting UK, which is working alongside the NEC Group on the Resorts World at the NEC proposals - has landed a large casino premises licence from Solihull Council. The council's licensing committee granted the permit to Genting, which was the only bidder to proceed to the second stage of a licensing process that concluded on 31 January.

In addition to the casino, the 55,000sq m (592,015sq ft) Resorts World at the NEC complex will feature a hotel; a spa; a banqueting and conference centre; and a cinema. It is anticipated that plans will be submitted in due course. Food and drink outlets also form part of the development, which is earmarked to launch in late 2013/early 2014.

Andy Mackiewicz, chair of the council's licensing committee, said: "Members were fully satisfied that in granting this licence, many benefits and opportunities will be made available to the borough of Solihull and its residents."