Crown Resorts has announced that the gaming operations for its Crown Sydney property will launch starting August 8, after receiving regulatory approval from New South Wales (NSW) officials last month.
Crown Sydney’s non-gaming business opened in late 2020, but the property has operated without its casino for nearly 20 months.
The company was found unsuitable to hold a gambling license in a NSW state inquiry and was subsequently bought out by the U.S.-based investment firm Blackstone Group, and both of those proceedings had to be completed before Crown could re-apply for licensure, which it eventually did in May.
Over the course of the last 18 months, Crown has undergone widespread corporate changes, with new executive staff and company policies. When the NSW Liquor and Gambling Authority approved its new license last month, it did so on a conditional basis, with stricter guidelines and increased scrutiny to ensure compliance this time around.
The new casino is being marketed towards high-end players, with two “VIP” rooms, dubbed the Mahogany Room and Crystal Room. Crown has said that only the Crystal Room will open first, with the Mahogany Room to be unveiled sometime later this year. In total, the casino will feature 160 tables and an additional 70 electronic table games (ETGs).
Crown Sydney CEO Simon McGrath said in a statement that the upcoming launch is “a defining moment for Crown, and the culmination of months of hard work from our dedicated team.”
He added: “The entire team at Crown Sydney has been preparing for this moment for a long time and we felt the symbolism of the 08.08 date represented ideal timing to open our doors. We look forward to showcasing our exclusive and unique gaming experience to our VIP members and their guests from next month.”
