rs has been selected to operate a new casino in Southampton.

The venue is set to open in 2021 with up to 150 slot machines and 30 blackjack and poker tables.

The city was granted one of the eight 'large' casino licences in the UK, although only three are currently in operation, two of which are Aspers properties in London and Milton Keynes.

The casino will form part of the £450m Royal Pier Waterfront development, which will also include 730 apartments and a 250-bed hotel, as well as shops and restaurants, if it is granted planning permission.

Aspers fended off competition from Grosvenor, Global Gaming Ventures and Kymeira for the licence.

Southampton City Council will receive an initial £100,000 from Aspers, with a further £150,000 payment made upon the opening of the casino.

Authorities will also receive at least 2% of the casino's gross gaming revenue, while Aspers will contribute £50,000 a year towards problem gambling initiatives.

Aspers Chairman Damian Aspinall said: "We are very proud to have successfully delivered the first two operational large licence casinos to the UK and are excited to now have the opportunity to bring a third high quality Aspers casino, including bars, dining facilities and live entertainment, to the city of Southampton."