Packer's Crown holds on Tabcorp stake increase JAMES Packer's Crown says it has no intention of increasing its interest in either Tabcorp or Echo Entertainment. The casino operator yesterday confirmed it had a 4.9 per cent economic interest in each of Tabcorp and Echo, in cash-settled equity derivatives. Gaming company Tabcorp demerged its casino business, Echo, this month, sparking rampant speculation Crown could make a move on Echo. Tabcorp shareholders approved the demerger two weeks ago and received one Echo share for each Tabcorp share held, which gave Mr Packer his stake in Echo. Crown, which owns the Crown casino complex on Melbourne's Southbank, is also free to make a play for Echo, as its interests lie outside Victoria, where a single operator cannot own more than one gaming or wagering licence. But analysts have questioned whether Crown could justify an offer for Echo in the short term in view of its $1.6 billion in planned capital expenditure.