Star Casino in Pyrmont, Sydney. Photo Jeremy Piper
All types of crime rates showed medium-strength positive correlations with rates of clients using Gambler's Help services, whereas property crime rate was the only crime variable strongly correlated with rate of calls to Gambler's Helpline (see Table 1). NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research is a statistical and research agency within the Department of Communities and Justice. It was established in 1969. The dataset includes crime rates taken from the FBI crime data series, variables for the presence of a casino in a county or in a nearby county, the scale of a casino's operations as measured.
VIOLENCE is on the rise in and around Sydney's Star Casino, new government data has revealed, raising questions yet again as to why it remains exempt from tough liquor lockout laws.
The NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics (BOCSAR) published figures today that showed non-domestic assaults in the Pyrmont area, where the Star is located, increased to an average of almost 13 assaults a month.
The findings cements the area as one of central Sydney's violence hot spots.
But the Star said assaults away from the casino should not be attributed to them and their own figures showed a drop in assaults.
NSW's controversial lockout laws, which prohibit patrons entering pubs and clubs in Kings Cross and the CBD after 1.30am and stop bars serving drinks after 3am, were introduced in 2014.
They have been cited as a key reason behind a plummet in the number of assaults in central Sydney. However, critics have said some of the violence may simply have moved to venues close to, but exempt from, the lockouts - such as the casino.
Emergency services were called to Pirrama Rd, across from the Star Casino, last month to an assault involving several people. Picture: Gordon McComiskieSource:News Corp Australia
INCREASE
According to BOCSAR, since the introduction of the lockouts, two extra assaults per month were taking place in the casino precinct.
Almost half of the assaults in Pyrmont, immediately to the west of the CBD, occurred near the casino, with 71 per cent of victims found to be casino patrons, while more than one in 10 were taxi drivers.
However, a similar rise in assaults had not been seen in other areas close to the lockout zone such as Newtown, Double Bay or Bondi.
BOCSAR director Don Weatherburn said the increase was relatively small compared to a reduction in assaults recorded at Kings Cross and the CBD.
'But there's no doubt there has been a significant increase' at the Star and its surrounds in Pyrmont, he said.
Casino Nsw Crime Rate Statistics
The landmark research also found at least 30 per cent of the assaults happened while the offender was being evicted from the casino or shortly afterwards and 73 per cent were judged by police to be alcohol related.
Dr Don Weatherburn who runs the Bureau of Crime Statistics which show alcohol and violence are linked, pictured in Kings Cross, Sydney.Source:News Limited
INSULT
The report puts the state's crime statistician at odds with the Star which said it had seen a decrease in the number of incidents were down 19 per from 64 in 2014 to 52 in 2015 with one per 211,000 visitors.
In a submission to the NSW government's independent review of the laws, the Star said with 40,000 people at the casino on an average Friday night, the number of assaults was low in context.
'Since the commencement of the lockouts, there has been a downward trend in the number of incidents at the Star,' the submission says, reported the Daily Telegraph.
In a statement, the Star said it was 'suggested but not proved lockouts have resulted in increased assaults' at the casino and, in any case, the rise quoted was minimal at 1.8 per cent.
The venue claimed it and the casino regulator 'agree' there was a reduction in assault numbers between 2014 and 2015.
'The Star contends that incidents which have occurred away from the property and have involved persons who have not attended the property have been attributed to the Star.'
Casino Nsw Crime Rate Today
But Dr Weatherburn rejected the Star's protestations on Wednesday, saying 'it's not uncommon for people who are affected by bad news on crime to offer their own view on what's happening to crime.
'All I can say is that we're completely independent, we don't have an axe to grind in any of this,' he said.
'Our concern is simply to find out what's going on'.
Talking last October, head of anti-lockouts lobby group Keep Sydney Open, Tyson Koh, said exempting the casino from the restrictions was an insult.
Casino Nsw Crime Rate Chart
'We know these areas are hotbeds for assaults and self-harm, but they bring in too much money for the state government to want to curb,' he told Music Feeds.
'It's not my desire to see the casinos restricted, but the idea of these casinos being the only sanctioned night-life option in Sydney is, quite frankly, an insult.'
A street mural featuring NSW Premier Mike Baird on Chippen Lane in Chippendale. Picture: APP>Source:AAP
CASINO MIKE
In February, 15,000 people marched through the streets of central Sydney against lockouts which are currently under review by the NSW Government.
The protesters variously accuse the laws of restricting personal liberties, destroying Sydney's night-life and threatening businesses and jobs in the music and hospitality industries.
A protest against lockout laws in Sydney was held on Sunday, February 21, in opposition to the New South Wales government's curfew for bars and clubs. People joined the #KeepS..
A protest against lockout laws in Sydney was held on Sunday, February 21, in opposition to the New South Wales government's curfew for bars and clubs. People joined the #KeepSydneyOpen rally to highlight the loss of businesses and jobs due to the lockouts. Sydney's CBD Entertainment Precinct currently has in place 1:30 a.m. lockouts and 3 a.m. last drinks. New South Wales Premier Mike Baird hailed the benefits of the lockouts in a Facebook post on February 9 but was criticised in the comments section as 'incompetent' and 'hypocritical', according to The Australian. Credit: Olivia Rosenman
Surry Hills resident Josh Stokes told news.com.au said the laws were too broad.
'I think it's unfair that a few peoples' mistakes ruin the fun for everyone,' he said.
NSW Premier Mike Baird has come under increasing pressure to explain why the Star is exempt from the laws but has sidestepped the issue and said all aspects of the law are currently under review.
Casino to murwillumbah rail trailers for sale. Earlier this week a mural of 'Casino Mike', a new nickname the Premier has gained due to the controversy, appeared on the wall of an inner Sydney street. In the image, Mr Baird can be seen drinking wine, smoking, gambling and eating a kebab — all things restricted in one way or another outside of the casino.
- with AAP.
