Crown Sydney was spruiked as a world class 6-star resort and VIP casino development destined to become a jewel in the Crown casino empire. But when it finally opened to the public in late 2020 the man behind the project, gaming tycoon James Packer, was nowhere to be seen and the casino at the heart of the plan was not allowed to operate. The story of how both the casino licence and the building was approved is a cautionary tale. What followed was a textbook example of what big money, back room lobbying and political influence can deliver.