Casino watchdog eyes Crown's Sydney plan The NSW casino watchdog has commenced its investigation into whether it will grant James Packer's Crown Resorts a licence for its Sydney high roller casino, one of two remaining obstacles for the company to clear after parliamentary approval was granted in 2013. In newspaper advertisements placed on Wednesday, the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority called for public submissions regarding the suitability of Mr Packer, Crown and its associates to run a casino in the state. As well as asking for public submissions ILGA will request large swathes of evidence from Crown to prove its multinational operation is free of corruption. "The Authority's investigation will involve liaison with a large number of regulatory and enforcement agencies, both nationally and internationally," ILGA said. Crown passed a similar investigation in May 2013 when ILGA granted the company permission to increase its shareholding in rival Echo Entertainment Group, owner of The Star casino, beyond a 10 per cent cap. Despite receiving the regulatory nod to boost its shareholding Crown instead dumped its Echo stake, booking an $38 million loss and sparking a slide in its rival's share price to all time lows. This last probity investigation took 14 months, although the regulator is not subject to any time limits. A similar application from Genting Hong Kong, controlled by casino magnate KT Lim, to increase its stake in Echo is still outstanding more than 18 months after it was first lodged. Along with this probity clearance, Crown must also clear separate planning approvals before it can begin construction of its $1.3 billion hotel and casino at the Barangaroo development precinct on the edge of Sydney's central district. The planning process will allow the public to comment on the design and development of the controversial project for the first time. Crown must wait until Echo's exclusive casino licence expires in November 2019 before it can begin operating, although it is expected to begin operating its hotel before then.