A request from Star City casino in Sydney for an additional 1,000 slot machines has been denied by New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally.
Together with Star City’s existing 1,500 slots, approval would have put the casino on par with Crown Casino in Melbourne in total slots, reports the Daily Telegraph. Management wants to increase the current 24,000 visitors a day to better compete with Crown’s 46,000 a day.
The extra 1,000 slot machines were intended to help with additional redevelopment plans for the property. Along with the A$575 million project now under way, which includes construction of a new five-star hotel, the operator wants to add an event center costing A$65 million.
“We’re looking to build an events center which would hold about 4,000 people, and it could host some really big international events, and we’re looking at varying funding options with the government,” said Star City spokesman Peter Grimshaw. “We’re hoping we can fund it without cost to the taxpayer. At this stage the government has given no indication it will agree to it. What we have got approved is a A$575 million upgrade.”
