Crown Resorts revealed that it is set to start the reopening of its Melbourne casino as of November 12th, as the state of Victoria emerges from the difficult and exhausting coronavirus lockdown, although the casino giant is still under serious regulatory pressure in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.
The move was officially confirmed by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) release earlier today. It will see every second table game or electronic gaming machine in the venue switched off, while casino players will be limited to spend up to 90 minutes in the casino on a daily basis. In addition, a total of 10 VIP areas will be allowed to remain operational, with a maximum limit of 10 gamblers in each room at a time.
Kenneth Barton, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Crown Resorts, shared that the Australian gambling giant was pleased to be able to once against start welcoming back its employees and customers back to its Crown Melbourne gambling venue. Mr Barton further noted that the company had been working in collaboration with the State Government of Victoria and the local health authorities to determine under what safety conditions the casino venue would be able to resume operation. Now, this will be possible under extensive hygiene, safety and physical distancing measures.
The gambling operator’s move to resume operations at the casino comes at a time when Crown Resorts is still facing major pressure from Australian regulatory bodies.
Crown Resorts Facing Ongoing Suitability Checks for its Barangaroo Casino Licence
As Casino Guardian already reported, in October, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) informed Crown Resorts that some instances of non-compliance with anti-money laundering rules at the Crown Melbourne casino. The issue has been referred to the enforcement team of AUSTRAC.
In the meantime, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has addressed the gambling company with a “show cause” associated with its relationships with controversial junket operators. The notice to Crown Resorts requires the Australian casino company to provide reasoning on why it should not face any regulatory actions over its relationships with such junket operators, a few of which have been known for their links with criminal organisations associated with human and drug trafficking.
On the other hand, the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) of NSW is also carrying out an inquiry into the suitability of Crown Resorts to hold a gaming licence for its Barangaroo casino in Sydney. The investigation is now taking the closing submissions of counsel assisting, with the latter having already said that the gambling company is unfit for holding the Barangaroo casino licence because of multiple governance and regulatory failures registered in the last five years.
Despite the ongoing hurdles faced by the Australian casino giant, the reopening of the gaming facilities of Crown Melbourne will be the first time these premises have been operational since the end of March, when the venue became subject to a massive lockdown because of the coronavirus restriction policy unveiled by the Victorian Government.
- Author
Olivia Cole
