New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has confirmed that Crown Resorts’ Sydney casino resort will not feature slot machines at its premises, once it opens doors in the early 2020s.
It was in 2014 when the major casino developer and operator received a license for the construction and operation of an integrated resort with a casino facility in Sydney’s Barangaroo precinct. Since announced, the project has been heavily promoted as one intended to attract Chinese high roller players. In other words, it would feature table games only, known to be a favorite pastime of VIP casino patrons from Mainland China.
However, a gambling crackdown, initiated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has already affected negatively Crown Resorts’ operations and is expected to have further negative effects on the company’s VIP gambling business. Last fall, eighteen Crown Resorts employees, including Jason O’Connor, Head of the operator’s overseas VIP programs, were arrested in China for illegal promotion of casino services.
Casino gambling is strictly prohibited in China and so is its advertising and promotion. However, it has become a common practice for representatives of major casino operators to send teams in the country to seemingly promote their non-gambling services and thus attract potential casino customers.
Crown Resorts’ shares tumbled down after last year’s arrests and it is believed that more negative effects could be brought upon the company, if the arrested staff members are convicted. The former NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Chair, Chris Sidoti, has recently told local media that the operator may have its Australian licenses reviewed, if its detained employees are declared guilty of criminal offense.
Even though Crown Resorts would probably experience difficulties in alluring the massive Chinese VIP clientèle it had previously hoped for, the operator would not be allowed to add slot machines (or pokies as the devices are called Down Under) at its Sydney property. As stated by Premier Berejiklian, the casino would by no means be turned into a regular one.
The New South Wales top official also responded to Mr. Sidoti’s comments in relation to the Crown Resorts’ licenses around the nation. She pointed out that the operator had received its Sydney license after a thorough licensure process and that the state was not likely to revise its decision.
