Crown Sydney

Planning approvals

James Packer's casino group, Crown Limited, presented an A$1 billion+ proposal to Premier O'Farrell in February 2012 to build a hotel, casino and entertainment complex at the site on land that was set aside for open space at Barangaroo Central. The Premier initially welcomed the proposal, yet cautioned it would need to gain regulatory approval before going ahead. The proposal drew widespread criticism from the Lord Mayor, Clover Moore MP, Paul Keating, and former government architect, Chris Johnson. In October 2012, Premier O'Farrell announced that the NSW Cabinet reviewed the proposal and decided that the government will enter into detailed negotiations with Crown Limited for the establishment of a casino and hotel complex at Barangaroo. Tony Harris, a former NSW Auditor General was critical of the decision−making process, claiming the public could miss out on millions of dollars. Packer wrote a defence of his proposal for the press.

In July 2013 after a recommendation from an independent steering committee Premier O'Farrell announced the Crown proposal would be moved to Stage 3 of the unsolicited proposals process, the final stage where the parties will negotiate a binding contract. The government is to receive a $100 million upfront fee for the licence, despite being offered $250 million with alternative tax arrangements which the steering committee's economic advisor Deloitte calculated was a superior offer. Crown's intention is to lure Chinese high-rollers to its Sydney casino leveraging off its interests in its Macau casinos and taking advantage of a new streamlined visa process introduced by the Australian government for Chinese citizens wanting to gamble at Australian casinos. In November 2013, it was announced that Crown Sydney received approval for the casino licence and place at Barangaroo. In November 2015, Packer announced that the project had been delayed. In March 2016, a series of proposals to change aspects of the building were recommended by the State Government in order for the project to receive approval. This included introducing a new recess in the interior as well as new cladding on the south side of the building. An observation deck as well as public access to the upper floors was also proposed. In June 2016, the casino received final approval from the Planning Assessment Commission on condition that the casino met the needs proposed. In early August, the Millers Point Fund lodged legal action against the project, challenging the validity of the casino. The Millers Point Fund aimed to have work on the project halted. Crown resorts said they would "vigorously defend" their actions. The dispute was held in the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales in late August. Construction began in early October, 2016 and is expected to be finished around the year 2021.

Sociological criticism

Researchers from the Responsible Gambling Fund financed, University of Sydney Gambling Treatment Clinic, have suggested that strategies such a minimum bet size are not likely to prevent the local community from being affected by problem gambling. They have suggested that typically students, new immigrants and working class individuals are found to be losing large amounts of money at Casino style table and electronic games.

Academic researchers have suggested that while the casino is initially not licensed to offer poker machines, it will inevitably gain a license in future years.