The company behind plans to create a reported $2.5 billion casino complex at South Korea's Incheon International Airport has been revealed as Florida-based real estate developer the Bankhurst Group.

The plans are being led by Greg Bankhurst, founder and CEO of the Bankhurst Group and are understood to be far larger than previously reported.

According to the Bankhurst Group's website, the company intends to develop a huge $5 billion master planned tourist and entertainment destination next to Incheon Airport dubbed the Starport.

The project includes four large scale Las Vegas style casino hotels with 7,000 hotel rooms and conference facilites such as the planned Planet Hollywood.

At least 350,000 square feet of retail space are planned, including Party Central boasting entertainment venues and even a bowling alley. Other planned buildings include Golf World, a 36 hole golf course and club house, a culinary college, ice skating facilites, spas and a tennis centre featuring 10 courts.

An international Soccer Hall of Fame will be constructed in parternership with Brazillian football legend Pele and there are even plans to create a biodome rainforest for research purposes.

According to a recent news report in the Korean Timesa a US investor visted Incheon Airport in December 2010 to meet members of the Seoul government as well as representatives of the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) which includes Incheon International Airport.

The paper reported that the unnamed company was looking to open the facilities by 2015 at the latest, including the casino where foreigners can enter without having to go through tedious customs procedures.

As part of its airport city plans, Incheon International Airport has sought to create a casino for the last 10 years since its opening in 2000 but without success.

Greg Bankhurst, CEO and founder of the Bankhurst Group, who is understood to be the lead developer on the project was not available to comment.

By Oliver Clark