NSW rejects Crown’s request to offer pokies

A Premier rejected the operator’s request to include poker machines in it’s gambling offer.

Australia.- New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian ruled out Crown’s chances to offer poker machines (pokies) inside VIP rooms at Bangaroo Crown. The project is set to open its doors in early 2021 and it will include a 271-meter hotel tower.

“The policy hasn’t changed — that’s a VIP room,” said Berejiklian, who also affirmed that it wasn’t New South Wales’ fault if the operator failed to attract high rollers that they had hoped to collect when they first came up with the idea of the Bangaroo Crown. Former chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Chris Sidoti, said: “Casinos are big money spinners and operating a casino in most circumstances is like a license to print money. I don’t think there was an appetite for thorough scrutiny, I think there was a wish simply to get the job done in terms of um having some basic level of examination and ah doing the deal.”

Berejiklian commented: “I respect the rights of anyone with experience to express their views but there was a very thorough process. I’m convinced that the process was robust, in the strictest of probity and I look forward to seeing the site further develop.”