Crown Resorts Perth is set to reopen on 1 May 2021, permitting all facilities, including both gaming and non-gaming operations, to resume under ongoing restrictions. Social distancing and hygiene protocols will still be enforced.
The three-day lockdown initiated on 27 April 2021 halted gaming activities, food services, and conventions at casinos. While Crown saw an interruption in its operations, hotels and ancillary services, such as takeaway dining, were allowed to continue. During the lockdown, pubs and cafés operated normally, but casinos, gyms, and nightclubs had to close.
This lockdown was prompted after it was discovered that a man had contracted Coronavirus while in hotel quarantine and subsequently mingled within the community while infectious.
In March, Crown had ramped up activities at its Melbourne site after the Victoria state government relaxed Coronavirus restrictions. However, following the Bergin inquiry in February, which scrutinized Crown’s New South Wales casino license, state authorities began an investigation into the company’s eligibility for a casino license in Melbourne. A similar review for the Perth location was also launched. The inquiry revealed non-compliance issues connected to junket operations, resulting in a fine of AUS$1 million.
Additionally, Blackstone, a private equity firm, made a bid to purchase Crown for AUS$8.02 billion (£4.47 billion/€5.21 billion) in March. Notably, the bid included a provision allowing Blackstone to withdraw if a regulator suspended Crown’s license.
