Crown Resorts is set to open its Sydney casino in the coming weeks

Crown Resorts is poised to reopen the gaming wing of its $2.2 billion Crown Sydney hotel in the coming weeks, according to local media reports. The hotel first opened its doors in late 2020, but casino operations were suspended following an investigation by the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), led by former Supreme Court Justice Patricia Bergin. As a result of the investigation, the company lost its right to operate a gambling business at Crown Sydney.
Bergin's report, which spans nearly 800 pages, revealed that Crown Resorts had violated several local laws, including those related to organizing junket tours.
On February 21, an ILGA representative issued a statement indicating that the authority is expected to allow Crown to reopen its casino in the coming weeks. "We still believe that the company cannot hold the appropriate license until it addresses significant issues raised by the Bergin investigation. However, reopening the casino on a trial basis will help the authority assess Crown's progress in this regard. That said, no decision has been made at this time," the statement read.
This announcement follows recent support from Crown Resorts shareholders for the company's acquisition by investment group Blackstone, with the deal valued at approximately AUD 8.9 billion (USD 6.3 billion).
In October 2021, Crown also retained its casino license in Melbourne, despite a royal commission in Victoria deeming Crown Resorts an "unsuitable" operator. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, Crown is awaiting the release of a royal commission report on casinos in Perth, which is not expected to be made public before March 4, 2022.
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