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Star City Casino pockets unclaimed winnings
Saturday 03 July 2010
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon says the NSW government should reform laws governing Star City Casino so unclaimed winnings at Star City Casino are not pocketed by the owners, Tabcorp but are directed to consolidated revenue as occurs in Victoria. She also called for more stringent auditing of practices at the Casino, which is a major donor to both Labor and the Coalition
today.
"If Labor and the Coalition do not move quickly to clean up this
underhand financial win for Star City Casino it will reflect badly on
both parties as they both accept donations from the Casino," Ms
Rhiannon said.
"Sydney's Casino only found $200,000 in unclaimed winnings over 15
years while Crown Casino in Melbourne hands over almost the same
amount annually to the Victorian Treasurer from unclaimed winnings.
"Either Melbourne Casino patrons are far more forgetful than those in
Sydney, or Star City Casino is secretly pocketing and not fully
disclosing these unclaimed winnings.
"Since the last state election Labor has received nearly $350,000 from
the Star City Casino owners in political donations. It is not a good
look for the NSW government when they allow the Casino to operate
under such weak laws.
"The laws governing the Casino need to be brought into line with
Victoria where unclaimed winnings are handed to the Treasurer.
"This is another example of the NSW government being generous with
Star City Casino and the result is that Tabcorp, the Casino owners,
enjoys more money.
"The owners of Star City Casino need to explain why there is a big
divergence between its unclaimed winnings and those at Melbourne’s
Crown Casino.
"This major discrepancy underlines the need for more stringent
auditing and a law change to ensure this money does not go to Tabcorp
but goes into consolidated revenue.
"Star City Casino has benefited enormously from the ongoing loosening
of regulations by the Labor government which accepts large donations
from the Casino's owners.
"There is no justification for allowing Tabcorp to pocket the
unclaimed winnings," Ms Rhiannon said.
For more information: Greens MP Lee Rhiannon 0427 861 568
