For the past month, Echo Entertainment and Crown Casinos have been embroiled in a bitter competition over the former’s exclusivity in Sydney’s gambling market. The two casino operators are in the process of preparing their proposals for submission to the NSW government.
Healthy competition was encouraged, but it seems that they are taking things a bit too far – and Premier Barry O’Farrell has told the two operators to tone it down. "Whether or not any or either of these proposals proceeds depends on whether there is value for money, whether there's a real benefit to the state,” O’Farrell says.
“I just think that Crown and Echo ought to take a cold shower, calm down and allow the Murray committee to do their work." The two companies have publicized their attempts to take over Sydney’s gambling market. Crown Casinos has published potential designs for its proposed high roller casino while Echo Entertainment has publically announced that it plans to spend $1 billion on expanding The Star Casino.
The two casino operators have battled it out in the public eye, in order to obtain the support of residents, but it is really up to local politicians. The company that receives the go-ahead is will be determined by a government committee, and they will examine a wide range of criteria that local residents may not even consider. So, Barry O’Farrell has requested that Crown Casinos and Echo Entertainment scale back the media war.
He believes that the companies are simply wasting their time and money, as their tactics have no effect on the government’s decision. The committee is more interested in financial statistics, health reports and infrastructure benefits. It is hoped that Crown Casinos and Echo Entertainment will scale back their campaigns. However, neither company seems ready to back down just yet.
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