ClubsNSW, an organisation representing social clubs in the Australian state of New South Wales, is to ask Echo Entertainment to clarify what its proposed expansion in gaming at Sydney’s Star Casino will include.
This is in light of the fact that the company has previously sought to increase its poker machine entitlements by a third. Most recently, the Star Casino asked the former state government for 1,000 additional poker machines to help fund a $65m entertainment centre.
However, in media reports regarding the company’s planned redevelopment and expansion, there has been no detail about what the casino’s expansion in gaming will include.
The club industry is concerned that since the casino had requested such a large increase to fund a $65m project, it would likely seek at least 1,000 additional poker machines to fund a project that was almost 17 times more expensive.
ClubsNSW CEO Anthony Ball called on Echo Entertainment to “come clean” about any plans to increase the number of pokies at the Star Casino site. “The opening of the Star Casino hurt not-for-profit clubs and saw dozens of Sydney clubs close,” he said.
“We don’t want to see more clubs forced to close their doors because Echo wants to increase its poker machine numbers. It’s up to Echo to choose whether or not it wants to redevelop and renovate its casino.
“However, they can’t expect the state government to sign off on letting them have more pokies so they can increase profits for their shareholders. Echo needs to explain exactly what its expansion in gaming will include and whether or not that includes an increase in poker machines.”
