In Australia, Crown chairman James Packer's plans for a high-end hotel and casino at Sydney's Barangaroo development have received a significant boost.
New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell has said the plans would not require a casino licence. The state government is reportedly proposing that NSW grants Packer a gaming, rather than a casino, licence that would allow the project to operate through to the end of Echo Entertainment Group's monopoly in 2019.
"We're not talking about a casino licence; that's what Echo operates at Pyrmont,” said O'Farrell. "I've been very clear about this from day one. We will have to legislate when the exclusivity agreement with the current casino ends.”
Packer has described his plans for a high-roller, invitation-only "gaming facility” as falling in a different category than a traditional casino.
