PLANS have been revealed for the North-East's first super-casino - part of a £100m leisure complex next to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

The proposals, unveiled only weeks after the Government controversially relaxed gambling laws, are likely to spark an investment versus morals debate.

Developers say the proposed entertainment complex will create almost 2,000 jobs and attract visitors to the region from across northern Europe.

But critics of Las Vegas-style casinos fear 24-hour opening will lead to more problem gambling and attract organised crime.

The Sunderland development, which will also include a hotel and a number of restaurants and bars, was last night described as visionary by football club chairman Bob Murray.

US leisure company Las Vegas Sands Inc has been in talks with the club since identifying the site as the ideal place for its casino.

Under the Government's proposed gambling laws, eight super-casinos will be allowed to be built, and Sunderland Sands is the first to reach the planning stage.

A planning application for the scheme was submitted to Sunderland City Council yesterday, in which Las Vegas Sands said more than 1,200 permanent jobs and 500 construction jobs would be created.

Council leader Bob Symonds said last night: "We welcome the interest in Sunderland from one of the world's leading leisure operators.

"Clearly, we recognise the potential of a regional entertainment complex to attract major private investment and new jobs into Sunderland, and help develop the city as a vibrant new leisure destination, particularly as part of the mix of leisure and entertainment we can offer visitors."

This month, Sunderland has opened one of the largest cinemas in the region, reopened the Empire Theatre as the only theatre for West End shows between Manchester and Edinburgh, and announced that work will start on the region's only Olympic swimming pool on the Stadium Park site.

Football club chief executive John Fickling said: "This is a world-class development - £100m of investment in a real quality entertainment complex.

"Naturally, Las Vegas Sands have done their homework and feel the site next to the Stadium of Light is the best site for the North-East of England.

"They estimate that 2.5 million people could visit this facility within a reasonable travelling distance, which means from northern Europe, Scandinavia and Scotland, as well as this region. That is a lot of people coming into the North-East, and the hope would be that they stay here and perhaps visit places like Durham Cathedral and spend a night on the Quayside at Newcastle.

"While this is a proposal for Sunderland, there are potentially huge benefits for the whole of the North-East."

Mr Murray added: "The iconic design of the development would provide international profile for our city and the region as a whole, as well as acting as a catalyst to attract further inward investment, making a huge impact on the area's regeneration and future economic prosperity."

The proposed overhaul of gambling laws sparked controversy in October when Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell paved the way for every town to have a casino open 24 hours a day, paying out unlimited prizes from hundreds of slot machines.

Labour was forced into a climb-down by a potential backbench rebellion, and fierce opposition from the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, as well as Church leaders and addiction groups.

Ms Jowell said she expected debate over the issue but not "the level of fury" over the Bill, and drew up a compromise that included the provision of eight super-casinos