Australian operator Crown has announced that its subsidiary, Crown Melbourne, has reached an agreement with the Victorian State Government to increase the number of table games and to expand the size of the casino floor at its Crown Entertainment Complex.
The company has also agreed to a phased increase in the rate of tax on electronic gaming machines at the property.
Under the newly agreed arrangements with the government, Crown’s casino licence now permits an increase in the number of traditional table games by an additional 100, as well as a further 50 poker tables. In addition, fully automated multi-station table games will be permitted.
“Crown Melbourne’s gaming capacity has long been constrained by its licence restrictions,” said James Packer, executive chairman of Crown. “These new arrangements now allow us to expand and improve the gaming floor in line with recent and future expansions to Crown’s hotels, restaurants, retail and car parking.
“The expansion of the casino will be integrated into the major refurbishment programme currently underway at Crown Melbourne and will complement the west end redevelopment of the complex which includes the new third hotel and associated restaurants and retail facilities. This will assist us to maintain the Crown Entertainment Complex as one of the world’s great casino/hotel complexes and a major tourism asset for Victoria.”
