Gambling Jackpot

The city is the front runner to win the licence for one of eight so-called super casinos that will be built around the UK.

City leisure bosses are drawing up their case to put to Prime Minister Tony Blair and his government.

The Daily Echo understands that civic chiefs are writing to ministers next week to tell them that Southampton is the prime site.

Potential rivals such as Portsmouth, Bournemouth and Brighton all say they have no plans to put in bids.

A super casino would be worth millions of pounds to the city's economy.

Developers expect there would be an enormous boost to the hotel trade as visitors came on weekend breaks to gamble.

There would also be a huge boost to the city's economy from cruise liner passengers who would stay an extra day in the city before departing on their holidays.

In addition, millions of pounds of extra revenue could be drawn in to the city's burgeoning night-time economy from casual visitors to Southampton who would be drawn from across the south.

The news comes as US firm Ameristar unveiled further details about its planned casino which will form a vital element in the £240m third stage of the West Quay development. The Las Vegas-based firm, which runs casinos across the US, has also pledged to lobby the government for one of the eight regional casino licences that are expected to be created next year.

The planned 65,000 square foot casino would be built next to Southampton's long-awaited arena and ice rink with both projects costing around £240m.

The casino would house about 80 gaming tables and 1,250 slot machines if it was given the final green light by city planning chiefs. It would create around 1,200 jobs.

Craig Neilson, chairman and chief executive of Ameristar, said: "This project will bring an outstanding new entertainment outlet to Southampton, greatly complementing the city centre's existing retail and leisure offerings.

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

An independent panel will advise the government on locations for the eight super casinos. It is due to report on its findings at the end of 2006.

The chief executive of the firm which will build the arena and ice rink at West Quay insisted the project would remain on track even if the government did not award the super casino to Southampton.

Bravo boss Patrick Nally said: "If there is one to be built in the region, that one should be built in Southampton. It all seems to stack up extraordinarily well. We need to take steps to ensure it is okay and Southampton does deserve to have a casino."

He added that even if Ameristar were to pull out of the deal and the casino were not to go ahead, Southampton would still get its Olympic-sized ice rink in the 8,000-seat arena which is due to be completed by 2007.

City council leader Adrian Vinson gave his qualified support for the plans - provided that the casino operators put in place measures to protect vulnerable people in Southampton.

Councillor Vinson said: "The council will, of course, have to consider any application for a casino in the city on its individual merits and in the context of any national legislation if a new gaming bill is passed.

"However, there is an opportunity for a combination of leisure and entertainment facilities that has the potential to bring significant benefit to the residents and visitors to the city.

"I believe that the city should, at this stage, be clearly promoting its case as a regional casino."