Crown had approval to operate casino’s high-roller room in lockdown, royal commission told

Crown Perth received approval from the casino watchdog and WA Police to allow the Pearl Room to open when the main gaming floor was closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Perth Casino Royal Commission has been told.

The casino’s general manager of security and surveillance, Brian Lee, told the royal commission the company had not breached any government directions.

Mr Lee said he sought advice from a police inspector, who told him the restrictions limited the number of people at a venue to 150.

“So I believe that along with bars and restaurants, the Pearl Room facility could open,” he said.

The Pearl Room is Crown Perth’s invite-only high-roller facility, with patrons required to have a minimum turnover of $100,000 per year.

Mr Lee said Crown Perth notified the casino watchdog, the Gaming and Wagering Commission, about its opening of the Pearl Room after the most recent lockdown.

Counsel assisting the royal commission Kristen Nelson: “So that was the lockdown of June-July this year?”

Mr Lee: “I believe that was the last lockdown we had.”

Nelson: “So the previous three lockdowns, the Pearl Room was not open to your knowledge?”

Lee: “Not to my knowledge. If it was, it would have been contrary to the directions.”

Mr Lee was questioned in response to evidence given to the royal commission on Tuesday by Crown Perth’s director of casino operations for gaming machines, Melissa Smith.

Ms Smith said the Pearl Room was open during the last lockdown period.

Her husband Richard Smith, a Pearl Room manager, also gave evidence on Tuesday that it was “possible” the high-roller facility had stayed open during the lockdown.

A WA Police spokesperson said they gave the casino permission to operate from July 3. She said they believed the casino did not operate during the lockdown period between June 29 and July 3, but they would investigate any credible evidence to the contrary.

Pearl Room opened after restrictions eased: Crown

In response to questions by the ABC, a Crown Resorts spokesman said the Pearl Room opened on July 6.

Restrictions in the Perth and Peel regions eased on this date, also allowing cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs to open with social distancing and patron level restrictions.

WA Health Minister Roger Cook said he understood it reopened when restrictions began to ease.

“So as you understand the gaming floors were locked down, shut down, because there were a lot of people, literally hundreds of people that can be on the gaming floor,” he said.

“The Pearl Room is a very small venue and my understanding is that it was closed until we started to ease restrictions and could have a small number of people inside the venue.”