1995: Sydney Harbour Casino opens

Yesterday marked  25 years since the opening of the first casino in Sydney - Sydney Harbour Casino. It would act as a temporary casino until Star City Casino (renamed The Star) opened in 1997.

It was opened by (Acting) Prime Minister Kim Beazley on September 13 1995.

The location was almost directly opposite the current site of The Star - Wharves 12 & 13 at Darling Wharf which is currently home to office and apartment blocks.

Below is coverage from its opening night (and morning). 14 000 punters had visited within hours of the doors opening to the public.

Below are two advertisements relating to its opening - both were full page advertisements. The first advertisement was published in The Daily Telegraph Mirror on September 13 1995 with the second advertisement published in the same newspaper on September 16 1995. The second advertisement promoted transport options for patrons.

Mike Gibson wrote a good review of the Casino for The Daily Telegraph Mirror. 

Source: Gibson, M. 1995. "Brave new world at Pyrmont". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, September 15: 10.

Below is coverage prior to the opening that evening (The Daily Telegraph Mirror - September 13 1995).

Enable GingerCannot connect to Ginger Check your internet connection
or reload the browserDisable in this text fieldEditEdit in GingerEdit in Ginger×

1997: Star City Opens

Wednesday (November 26) will be 17 years to the day since Sydney's first permanent casino opened. Star City (rebranded The Star back in 2011) opened its doors to the masses. It replaced the temporary Sydney Harbour Casino which had opened in September 1995, built at a cost of $876 million.

There was a glitzy advertisement which I remember quite well. It was no Crown Casino but they were trying at least and at the same time obviously showcase its harbour setting.

The opening itself was glitzy with a free public concert featuring Diana Ross, Human Nature and Richard Clapton fireworks display and light show. Inside there was an invite only opening party involving Sydney's A-List with Tom Jones and Michael Crawford joining the celebrations alongside those performing for the public. In the first night 24 hours of trading, around 45 000 people visited the casino according to The Daily Telegraph (November 28 1997).

The Daily Telegraph marked the opening by selling their November 28 editions for just ten cents. A special wrap around was produced featuring Diana Ross with the casino in the background.

Two pages of coverage from the November 27, 1997 edition of The Daily Telegraph.

NEVER BUILT SYDNEY: Early concept for Sydney's Casino (1993)

Ever wondered what other concepts were out there relating to The Star during the planning phases in the 1990s? Here is one that looks drab and in the 2010s would become quite dated.

We as Sydneysiders may be cringed by the three towers that make up The Star, but compared to this, its more conservative.

Source: Wilkins, M. 1993. "Our beautiful city in the year 2000: New-look Sydney gears up for the games." The Sunday Telegraph: 54 & 105.