Crown to open hotel, bars at Barangaroo as casino hangs in balance

Crown Resorts says it will start opening bars, restaurants and parts of the hotel at its new tower at Barangaroo by the end of December, as its licence for gaming operations at the $2.2 billion resort hangs in the balance.

The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority last month forced Crown to delayed opening the casino component of the tower until an inquiry into Crown’s suitability to hold a gaming licence reports back to the regulator early next year.

However ILGA on Wednesday said that approved an interim liquor licence for the resort part at Crown’s new casino, allowing it to serve alcohol at a number of bars. Two more liquor licences applications for restaurants will be decided within a week, ILGA said.

Crown said in a statement that with the interim liquor licences approved, it could push ahead with opening plans and expected to “progressively commence non-gaming operations” from December 28.

More to come