SYDNEY'S Star City casino has launched a surveillance blitz to crack down on cheating, theft and unruly patrons, as it seeks to clean up its image ahead of a relaunch next year.

There have been 446 reported incidents of thefts and cheating since the start of 2009, or about 30 a month. Previous figures released by the NSW Casino Control Authority showed 177 incidents of theft, fraud and cheating during the year to June last year, or about 15 a month.

"We don't believe there's been a rise in crime. There has been an increase in the number of criminals apprehended," a spokesman said.

All of the cases of gaming-related theft and cheating since January last year had been identified by closed circuit cameras in the casino.

Offences included attempted use of stolen or fake casino chips, or marked cards. The number of patrons banned for "disorderly conduct" almost doubled to 151 in the 2008-09 year.

In one wild brawl last year involving a bikie group, chairs were smashed and glasses hurled before it spread outside.

No figures are yet available for 2010. But the spokesman has made it clear the casino wants to overhaul its reputation for late-night incidents, saying it made good business sense.

"If people feel safe, they're more likely to come to Star City," he said.

Casino's bosses feel a stigma has developed about going to the casino.