- Crown resorts has been hit by a major setback after the New South Wales gaming regulator blocked next month's opening of a new multi-billion-dollar casino in Sydney.
- Embattled casino giant Crown Resorts will press ahead with the December opening of its new Sydney complex despite the gaming regulator withholding a casino licence.
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Establishments will have to send staff for training to the Liquor & Gaming NSW’s Responsible Conduct of Gambling seminar, as the presence of a trained staff member (Gambling Contact Officer) will be required when gaming machines are being used. Clubs and hotels will have to list gambling-related incidents and report them to a regulator on. The New South Wales gambling regulator has been busy this month. July may be less than three weeks in, but the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority is making the most of it by issuing record-setting fines: one to Woolworths and the other to an RSL club.
The NSW gaming regulator has formally requested Crown Resorts to delay plans to conduct a 'limited opening' of its new $2.2 billion Sydney casino in December.
In an announcement to the press this afternoon, Philip Crawford of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority said they would rather wait until the report of the current inquiry into the gaming giant is handed down.
The report is due in late January or early February 2021. The inquiry is into allegations Crown-held accounts were used for money laundering operations.
READ MORE:Crown Melbourne investigated for potential money laundering breaches
© Nine Crown Casino, stands prominently to the Sydney skyline at Barangaroo.'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.
Video: ILGA 'not comfortable' with Crown commencing gaming operations (ABC NEWS)
ILGA 'not comfortable' with Crown commencing gaming operations
'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.'
READ MORE: James Packer admits 'some' responsibility for arrest of Crown staff
© Nine ILGA chair Philip Crawford.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.
More to come.
New Sydney casino opening blocked by NSW gaming regulator
Crown resorts has been hit by a major setback after the New South Wales gaming regulator blocked next month's opening of a new multi-billion-dollar casino in Sydney.
© Provided by Sky News AustraliaNsw Gambling Regulatory
Gaming operations at Barangaroo will be banned indefinitely over fears the casino could be a magnet for money laundering.
A license will not be provided until a review is finalised next year.
Nsw Gambling Legislation
The delay comes after an inquiry into the casino empire in which Crown admitted money had been laundered through two of its bank accounts.