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SYDNEY - The NSW government is reportedly days away from announcing a second casino for the state, with James Packer's PBL a front-runner as operator.
It comes after the government has been in protracted negotiations with Tabcorp, which operates Sydney's Star City casino, over the renewal of its 10-year operating licence.
The government is pushing for Tabcorp to pay higher taxes on its pokies takings, News Limited reports today, and its refusal has triggered the possibility of a second casino license in NSW.
"Premier Morris Iemma is said to have told (PBL's) Crown Casino executives he was happy to work with Mr Packer in Sydney," according to a report in the Daily Telegraph today.
"Government sources have denied a license would be granted in the city.
"More likely is a casino in Tweed Heads, to stop punters rolling over the border to Jupiters Casino on the Gold Coast."
- AAP
