Ameristar targets UK casino licence

US GAMBLING firm Ameristar Casinos is chasing one of the eight UK regional licences expected next year, with plans to develop a casino and entertainment complex at West Quay in Southampton.

The company is to develop the site with Bravo Network, the developer chosen by Southampton City Council.

As well as a casino, the complex will include a variety of dining and entertainment venues and a 200-room, four-star luxury hotel and conference facility.

Bravo will develop an 8000-seat multi-purpose indoor arena with two ice rinks - one Olympic-size.

The planned casino will be 65,000 square feet with 80 games tables and 1250 slot machines.

The total cost of the project is projected at £240m.

Ameristar, based in Las Vegas, was founded in 1954 with its original casino, Cactus Petes, in Jackpot, Nevada.

It has been a public company since 1993 and owns six casinos in Kansas City and Council Bluffs, Iowa, where it operates riverboats, St Louis, Vicksburg, Mississippi, as well as Cactus Petes and the Horseshu in Nevada.

It is currently finalising the acquisition of a seventh casino in Black Hawk, Colorado, near Denver.