NSW gambling regulator grants liquor licence extension for Crown Sydney

Liquor licence extensions at Crown Sydney have guaranteed an ongoing cash stream for the beleaguered casino giant as it tries to regain its gaming permit.

Embattled casino giant Crown Resorts has had the liquor licences for its new $2.2bn Sydney venue extended but is still working through its gambling regulatory nightmare.

The company told the Australian Securities Exchange on Wednesday that the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority had granted new liquor licences allowing for the continued service of alcohol in non-gaming areas of Crown Sydney beyond their expiry date on Friday.

The licences run from May 1 to October 31.

The regulator previously found Crown Resorts was unfit to hold a gaming permit for the Barangaroo facility in light of revelations from last year’s inquiry, which heard shocking evidence about money laundering at Crown’s Perth and Melbourne venues.

The world record for the most expensive cocktail was set in 2013 by the executive bartender of Crown's Club 23, Joel Heffernan, with The Winston, which sold for $12,500.

That sparked separate royal commissions in Western Australia and Victoria.

“Crown is continuing to work through the consultation process with ILGA as it seeks to restore regulatory confidence in its operations and give effect to the restricted gaming licence in Sydney,” Crown’s executive chairman Helen Coonan said.

“Crown welcomes ILGA’s approval of the new liquor licences for Crown Sydney Property Pty Ltd which will allow guests to continue to enjoy the non-gaming facilities at Crown Sydney as we work through this process.”

Crown is also selling luxury apartments at the Barangaroo complex.

Gaming was scheduled to start at Crown Sydney in December but was scuppered by the damning inquiry evidence. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The scandal has already claimed the scalps of key executives, including former chief executive Ken Barton, with ILGA chair Philip Crawford previously agreeing the board needed to “blow itself up” to achieve redemption.

ILGA has also sought to keep Crown’s biggest shareholder James Packer at arm’s length from the company after the NSW probe heard the high roller-chasing reclusive billionaire had had a “disastrous” influence on the company.

The WA and Victoria royal commissions are looking into whether Crown and its close associates are suitable to hold gaming licences for the Perth and Melbourne venues.

The WA probe is also assessing whether the state’s Gaming and Wagering Commission is properly supported by the relevant government department to perform its role.

James Packer fronted the inquiry via videolink from his luxury mega-yacht in the Pacific Ocean. The probe heard his push to draw in more VIP high rollers had disastrous outcomes.

Gambling at Crown Perth is suspended as restrictions remain in the wake of the city’s snap three-day lockdown, which ended at midnight.

Findings from the Victorian royal commission are expected by August 1, while interim findings from the WA investigation are due to be handed down by June 30, with the final report following by November 14.

Meanwhile, Crown is the subject of a takeover offer by US private equity giant Blackstone, which already has a 9.99 per cent stake in the company.

Commissioner Patricia Bergin, who led the NSW investigation, concluded that evidence showed Crown turned a blind eye to money laundering at the venues, used aggressive marketing tactics in China that threatened the safety of staff and partnered with Asian junket tour operators with known links to organised crime.

Originally published as NSW gambling regulator grants liquor licence extension for Crown Sydney