The lobbying for a Toronto casino has been taken to the next level by MGM resorts.

They're telling Toronto councillors that if they can build a downtown casino they would promise a permanent Cirque du Soleil facility.

MGM's senior vice-president of public affairs met with a number of councillors this week and told them they want to build a $3 to $4 billion resort and would prefer to build it at Exhibition Place.

The facility would include a 1,000 room hotel and convention space and would also include restaurants, entertainment and shopping to boost tourism.

They say it would directly create 8,000 new jobs, including 5,000 in construction over three years.