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Big Labor donor Star City Casino wins less regulation
Friday 19 June 2009
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon has called on the Premier Nathan Rees to withdraw a government bill that considerably loosens regulation of the Star City Casino and grants it further opportunities to boost profits.
Ms Rhiannon says the move risks escalating crime and problem gambling at the casino. She says it also suggests an unhealthy relationship between the NSW ALP and two of its biggest donors, Star City Casino and Tabcorp, which have donated $448,827 over the last decade (p. 3, SMH, 19 June 2009).
"The only plausible explanation for the government further loosening regulation governing the casino is the nearly half a million dollars in donations the NSW ALP has been pocketed from the Star City and Tabcorp over the last decade," Ms Rhiannon said.
The Casino Control Amendment Bill was introduced on Tuesday. The Minister for Gaming Kevin Greene flagged that a 'second tranche of reforms will be introduced later this year'.
Examples of the changes include the Casino Gaming Authority losing its function of directly supervising the casino. The casino will be subject to a comprehensive operational review every 5 not 3 years. It can now use virtual chips and bank internationally, not just in NSW, to better attract international high rollers.
"The government has sunk to a new low in delivering for its major donors, punching big holes into what should be a very tight regulatory scheme governing NSW's only casino.
"These amendments will significantly reduce scrutiny of the Casino's operations, risking an escalation in problem gambling and crime.
"This loosening of regulatory control will allow organised crime, money laundering, prostitution, drug dealing, loan sharks and problem gambling to escalate.
"Generous donations from Tabcorp and Star City to the government and escalating tax revenue have laid the ground for this bill which further strips back regulation of the casino.
"The Greens donations project shows that in 2008 the casino donated $110,000 to the government two months before it was granted approval for a $344 million expansion.
"In 2007 the casino made a $112,200 donation to NSW Labor just months before it began negotiations over its monopoly casino license.
"The beneficiaries of these new laws are the government, the casino and high rollers, with the clear losers being problem gamblers and law and order.
For more information: 9230 3551, 0427 861 568
The bill can be found here: http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/0/A0D60BFDAB083DD6CA2575D700209838
