Crown Sydney is set to launch its VIP casino on August 8, 2022, following conditional approval from the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) in June. This approval came with the stipulation that Crown's operations would be closely monitored during the final phase of their license suitability assessment, which is expected to conclude in 2023. This evaluation stems from the findings of the Bergin inquiry, which determined that Crown Resorts was unfit to operate in Barangaroo.
In a statement, Crown announced, "Today, we announced that Crown Sydney’s VIP gaming facilities will open to members and guests on 8 August 2022." The facility will be Australia's first VIP casino, featuring two luxurious floors: the Crystal Room and the Mahogany Room, as well as 12 exclusive private Sky Salons located on levels 28 and 29. The casino's interior design was executed by Bates Smart.
The Crystal Room will be the first area to open, with the Mahogany Room following at a later date. According to Sky News Australia, access to the casino will be restricted to Crown Sydney VIP members, their guests, and hotel guests.
Last month, Blackstone completed its AU$8.87 billion acquisition of Crown Resorts, following approvals from the Federal Court of Australia and the regulatory bodies in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia. Initially, Melco, an Asian gaming group, was a contender for the acquisition, but inquiries regarding Crown’s operational suitability intervened.
Additionally, earlier this month, the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission initiated further disciplinary actions against Crown, which could result in a fine of up to AU$100 million.
