Packer’s Crown era ends as US giant Blackstone takes reins

Crown Resorts’ new owner has yet to commit to an opening date for the all-important Barangaroo casino operation, but the US investment giant has flagged further investment in the business which is still working with regulators to retain its casino licences in Australia.

Blackstone took control of the business on Friday as billionaire James Packer ended his 23-year relationship with the casino business with a $3.3 billion cheque for his Crown stake.

Blackstone executive Chris Tynan said the group would now sit down with Crown executives to determine what investments were needed to transform Crown’s properties into world-class entertainment destinations as tourism rebounds from COVID.

“We’re very excited about the prospect of further investment into all three of the assets the Crown has in the stable,” Tynan said.

He flagged hospitality – and specifically new restaurant brands – as well as room refurbishments as part of its plan, with the Melbourne flagship operation the main target.

“Melbourne is the biggest opportunity that we see. It’s a phenomenal asset,” Tynan said.

“We definitely envisage being able to utilise our global reach to bring some brands and concepts and expertise in hospitality and in integrated gaming to really refurbish and optimise what’s here.”

Crown chief executive Steve McCann said the biggest opportunity for the new owners is to continue the remediation work needed to retain its casino licences in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that there’s still work to do over the next couple of years,” he said of the remediation work needed after Crown was found to be unfit to hold a licence in every jurisdiction in which it operates following damning inquiries into its conduct.