Crown Resorts has revealed a requirement for all of its staff members and visitors to its Melbourne casino and the struggling gambling venue in Sydney to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to enter the operator’s premises.
The Australian gambling giant shared that both casino venues are compliant with the public health orders of the Governments of New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. Crown Resorts further noted that the move has come as a confirmation of the company’s position on mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 for gaining access to its properties until further notice.
The other iconic casino of the company – Crown Perth – will be given until January 31st, 2022 to implement a vaccination policy in line with the public health directions of the Government of Western Australia.
On November 1st, the CEO of Crown Resorts, Steve McCann, said that Perth still enjoys an almost coronavirus-free environment, so the vaccination policy of the Local Government is still evolving and not as advanced as the consultations in other parts of the country. He further noted that the Australian gambling giant needs to finalise the methodology but its major goal will be to implement a coherent Covid-19 vaccination policy in all of its resorts.
As revealed by Mr McCann, the plan has faced overwhelming support.
Crown Resorts Unveils Vaccine Incentive Scheme as Dealing with Royal Commission Inquiries
Crown Resorts unveiled a vaccine incentive scheme in September. At the time, the gambling company revealed that all employees will be entitled to three hours of paid leave for each vaccination they receive. All of them who need more time to recover after the vaccination will also be granted an extra day of paid sick leave. The company further shared that it will also give all employees that are vaccinated a gift voucher worth AU$50.
For the time being, Crown Resorts is driving an extensive awareness campaign regarding the Covid-19 vaccines across all its properties.
Meanwhile, Jane Halton from Crown’s Board of Directors gave evidence at the Western Australia Royal Commission at the beginning of the week. At the time, Ms Halton has explained that Crown Resorts was improving the development programs applicable to all board members, including ethics, induction and anti-money laundering training.
Ms Halton also said that the board was currently examining, inquiring and testing the material put in front of the company, including the completeness of the casino operations.
The move comes only days after the former boss of the Australian gambling giant, James Packer, gave evidence to the WA Royal Commission and explained there had hardly been anyone with expertise in anti-money laundering on the board of Crown Perth. At the time he appeared in front of the state’s Royal Commission into the Perth casino of the company, Mr Packer also shared that many issues should have been addressed in a different manner at the venue.
While the new Barangaroo casino of Crown in Sydney was rejected the chance to keep its gambling licence in the light of the money-laundering scandal, the resort’s restaurants, bars and other facilities have been operating since the opening of the complex in December 2020. Last week, Crown Melbourne was put on probation for a period of two years to prove itself worthy of its operating permit, while the Western Australia Royal Commission into Crown Perth is expected to present its findings in March 2022.
- Author
Olivia Cole
