James Packer's role in a proposed AUD 1.5 billion casino development in the Philippines now appears to be on a knife edge, following his office's denial of speculation yesterday that a deal was only weeks away from being finalised. The South China Morning Post said Mr Packer, executive chairman of Crown, was in advanced talks with a company called Bloombury to sign a deal to build a AUD 1.5 billion casino resort in the Philippines.