Monday, 24 November 2025

1999: Jeff Kennett Vs Star City

The Sydney Vs Melbourne rivalry is a big part of life in both cities as each city battles to outdo the other for the prestige of bragging rights as Australia's Number One City. Following a visit to Star City Casino (now The Star) by Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett (1992-1999), Kennett decided to unleash his thoughts on Sydney's casino against that of Crown Casino in Melbourne. He also decided that it was "appropriate" to wear a Crown Casino tie on his visit.

  Jeff Kennett and Sydney July 24 1999 daily telegraph 9 
Source: Penberthy, D. 1999. "Your Casino's the pits". The Daily Telegraph, July 24: 9. 

But let's fast forward to 2025. Crown has since opened in the Harbour City, opening in two phases at Barangaroo. In 2020, the hotel, retail, and dining precincts opened, with the casino opening in 2022. Initially, the casino was targeted at High Rollers, but has since welcomed all gamblers. It still remains a "tables only" casino. Even with competition with Crown, The Star still remains the preferred casino of Sydneysiders seeking to flutter a dollar or two. 

Also, was there a need to compare both casinos? Is there even a need to compare them today? Is there a need to compare Crown Sydney to Crown Melbourne? Interestingly, both Crown Melbourne and The Star Sydney have been built as part of urban renewal schemes in their respective cities. The Star was built as part of the renewal of the Pyrmont Peninsula on the former site of the Pyrmont Power Station. Crown Melbourne was built on former industrial land at Southbank in Melbourne on the shores of the Yarra River. 

It can be forgotten that both The Star and Crown Melbourne are not just casinos and resorts, but also entertainment centres. The Star has the Lyric Theatre. Crown has its own multiplex cinema, for instance, alongside shops and restaurants. 

Finally, there have been plans for expansions and redevelopment at The Star, which could have allowed it to evolve into an even better complex that could truly compete with Crown Melbourne, but these plans have been shut down by planning agencies. 

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