The council has claimed that it needs the large scale investment the super casino would prompt in order to fulfil its sports plans.

According to the council casino related investment would reach £700 million and is the only way the city’s sports plans could be completed by their 2012 deadline.

At present the recent Gambling Act only permits one super casino per region, but along with many other authorities Cardiff is campaigning against this policy.

Aspers, the UK/Australian company has been selected by the council as its preferred choice to operate and develop the casino.