The operator announced that it has received a letter from the ILGA stating its unsuitability, following a lengthy inquiry into alleged money-laundering and other crime-related activities at Crown’s casinos.

The inquiry, led by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin, deemed the operator unfit to hold an operational licence, while also recommending several replacements to the Crown board.

Crown has now confirmed it will not be able to operate its new AU$2.2bn (US$1.7bn) Barangaroo casino in Sydney, while also stating it had been found to have breached a clause of the state’s gaming regulations. The operator will be given the opportunity to address the breach via a consultation process with the ILGA.

Crown CEO and managing director Ken Barton announced his resignation earlier this week, following the departures of directors Guy Jalland, Michael Johnston, and Andrew Demetriou. Helen Coonan will become a temporary executive chairman while the board searches for a replacement for Barton.

The hotel, bars and restaurants within the new venue began operations in December 2020 amid the pending decision on the casino licence.