The planning statement says: "The kind of public casino we wish to operate has been legal in France for more than 100 years. Such casinos form a fully integrated part of the social and cultural activity of the community.
"It is part of their contract with the local authority that the casinos will provide facilities other than gaming, such as live entertainment, ballroom, restaurants, bars, hotels and social events.
"This multi-activity aspect has caused the casinos to become major tourist attractions in their host towns, not solely for people intent on gambling.
Indeed, it is quite possible to spend an evening at the casino and not gamble." Supercasinos have only becomea possibility in the UK since the government controversially relaxed gambling laws last year.
But the idea has not been met with enthusiasm in Liverpool. Last month, councillors backed a motion calling on planners to introduce new rules to make it easier for them to reject casino plans.
They also asked officers to reject approaches from firms keen to create a new betting venue, and block any casino developments on councilowned land.
Cllr Paul Clein, one of three councillors to propose the motion, said: " The council has made its views clear. We already have some casinos and feel they supply whatever desire for gambling there is. We do not want any more.
" The planning committee will make a decision on planning grounds, but the company will still need a government licence and there is no guarantee they will get it."
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