The owners of a planned casino in Sydney have applied for their entire high-rollers’ floor to allow smoking, a move with has drawn criticism from workers’ rights and anti-smoking groups.

NSW Cancer Council Manager of Tobacco Control Scot Walsberger said that his organisation is disappointed that the government had given conditional approval for the proposal. He says it could mean that employees would need to make a choice between their health and working at the casino. Casino planners explained their reasoning in a letter to the NSW government; “In order to effectively compete with Macau, Singapore and the rest of Asia, Crown Sydney will need to permit smoking in VIP gaming areas.”

Smoking in Australian high-roller rooms is not unprecedented; The Star Casino in Sydney has this exemption in place in its high-roller areas as does Crown Casino in Melbourne in its Mahogany room.

A memorandum of understanding has been established with the union United Voice, stating air quality must be tested every three months and the outcomes need to be reported to health and safety representatives.