NSW Liberal Party president Chris Downy has resigned to take up a senior executive role with The Star casino in Pyrmont.
Mr Downy, born in Woronora and a former NSW minister for sport and racing, Sutherland Shire Councillor and Sutherland MP, tendered his resignation on Tuesday, almost three years after he was appointed.
He will become general manager, corporate affairs, at The Star, a position which could involve lobbying the NSW Coalition government.
However, The Star has said this aspect of the job will not begin for several months while Mr Downy familiarises himself with the role, if at all.
He remains a key figure in the Liberal Party in Sutherland Shire, as well at state level.
There was a push for him to make a surprise comeback at the 2011 state election.
In an automated telephone survey conducted in Miranda electorate, residents were asked about their voting intentions and given the names of Mr Downy and sitting Labor MP Barry Collier.
Mr Downy was a schoolteacher and a member of Sutherland Shire Council before becoming MP for Sutherland from 1988-1997.
He was Minister for Sport and Recreation for two years.
Mr Downy resigned mid-term, causing a by-election, and took a corporate and community affairs executive role with Sydney Airport Corporation.
He moved on to become executive director of the Australasian Casino Association and chief executive of the Australian Wagering Council, which represents the online wagering and sports betting industry.
He is the second figure associated with the NSW Coalition government to take such a position after Rod Bruce, chief of staff to former deputy NSW premier Andrew Stoner, went to work for its owner, Echo Entertainment, in December 2013.
It is understood Mr Downy had flagged to the party he would not seek to renew his appointment as president at the NSW Liberal Party's annual meeting in October.
Current party vice-president Trent Zimmerman is a leading contender to take over as president.
News of the appointment comes as The Star gears up to go into battle with billionaire James Packer for a share of the lucrative Asian high roller gambling market in Sydney.
Mr Packer's company, Crown Resorts, has been granted a licence to run a high roller casino – officially referred to as a restricted gambling facility due to an absence of poker machines – at Barangaroo from November 2019.
