LEICESTER SQUARE'S historic Empire cinema could be reborn as a casino next year.

London Clubs International, which already owns seven casinos in the capital, has applied to Westminster council to close the cinema and open a 45,000 sqft casino - one of London's biggest.

The Empire, which seats more than 1,700 people in its three auditoriums, has been under threat since UCI Cinemas was bought by the Odeon group. It is one of 11 cinemas Odeon must sell off to satisfy competition law.

If its planning bid succeeds, LCI, which owns casinos Les Ambassadeursand Fifty St James, will seek to buy the lease on the property. It hopes to cash in on new laws allowing more high-prize slot machines in gambling houses, and a relaxation of the "24-hour rule" that stops non-members from simply walking into a casino and playing.

The plans will alarm antigambling campaigners.

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