Another high roller room in Sydney will attract unsavoury and laundered money, says a NSW Greens MP. Source: AAP
ANOTHER high roller room in Sydney will open the floodgates to laundered money, Greens MP John Kaye says, as cabinet meets to consider two competing casino bids.
The NSW government is meeting on Thursday to consider a report by businessman David Murray into which of the proposals for Sydney's Barangaroo site would deliver the greatest benefit.
Mr Kaye says if either one goes ahead it will result in billions of dollars of dark money flowing into NSW.
"The growth market for big spending VIP gamblers is dominated by mainland China, where the government imposes tight limits on the money its citizens can take overseas," he said in statement.
"Another high roller casino in Sydney can only survive if it attracts currency laundered through some very unsavoury channels."
Mr Kaye said the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission had been told VIP gambling in Macau was linked to money laundering.
"If Premier Barry O'Farrell gives the green light... he will be further opening NSW up to the same corruption and crime problems that have become endemic in the Macau gambling enclave."
Mr Kaye said if the Chinese government decided to end the flow of 'dark money' out of China, the viability of the Barangaroo VIP room would be deeply compromised.
Opposition Leader John Robertson on Wednesday called for the government to release the Murray report and all supporting documentation that results in his recommendation.
Echo wants to build two new hotels next to The Star and connect Pyrmont, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo into one integrated resort, while extending the company's right to be the state's sole casino operator for a further 15 years.
James Packers's Crown Group is lobbying for a second casino with plans for a new $1.5 billion luxury hotel and VIP-only facility on Barangaroo.
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