Crown Barangaroo’s Gaming Operations to Be Delayed

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has formally requested Crown Resorts to delay opening gaming operations at its Barangaroo casino next month in light of ongoing concerns over the company’s suitability to run the casino.

ILGA chair Philip Crawford said the Authority resolved at today’s board meeting that it was not in a position to consider a range of essential regulatory applications on matters such as minimum bet limits, VIP membership policy, gaming area boundaries and “close associates” of the licence holder.

“We are hopeful that Crown Resorts will agree to our request to postpone opening of all gaming activities, which would be unable to begin without approval of these regulatory matters,” Mr Crawford said.

“The Authority has found ongoing evidence before the Bergin Inquiry to be extremely concerning, and that any gaming activity at the casino before the Inquiry’s findings are released in February 2021 and considered by the Authority would pose unacceptable risks on the community against the public interest.

“In light of this, we did not consider it appropriate to determine the applications before the Authority until the findings of the Bergin Inquiry.”

Mr Crawford said ILGA is prepared to work with Crown to explore options that may enable the opening of non-gaming areas including accommodation, restaurants, bars and entertainment areas next month.