International casino operator Isle of Capri Casinos has announced a £130m private investment toward the development of an estimated £250m casino complex at the Ricoh Arena site in Coventry.

The gaming operator is in the process of submitting a bid for regional casino status, but intends to build a casino at the site regardless of the government’s decision in 2007.

Coventry City Council has already publicised its support for the gaming operator’s supercasino bid with its Coventry Now campaign.

The 155,000sq ft (14,400sq m) supercasino complex would feature a 75,000sq ft (7,000sq m) casino with 1,250 Category A slot machines and 50 gaming tables.

The complex would also comprise a £6m themed entrance hall, a sports book area with video walls showing all major sporting events, a salon privé with gaming and poker area and a cocktail show bar with a live entertainment area.

There would also be an Isle One cocktail bar, a 6,000sq ft (560sq m) Farraday’s restaurant, a Calypso’s buffet area, a sushi bar, a Tradewind’s snack and pizza area, as well as a four-star, 400-bedroom hotel.

The entire Ricoh Arena site, including the casino complex, is scheduled to be fully operational by late 2006. Details: www.coventry-now.com or www.isleofcapricasino.com