JOBS LOST AS SYDNEY’S CROWN CASINO CONSOLIDATES
Sydney’s Crown Casino has closed one of its two gaming floors and axed up to 95 jobs just a year after it opened.
The casino, which was the brainchild of former chairman and majority shareholder James Packer, was built as a VIP-only facility to suit international gambling high-rollers, with no poker machines and a minimum bet of $20.
To gain access to its exclusive “mahogany” gaming floor, complete with 30 private salons, members needed to rack up a minimum spend of $45,000 across the venue’s bars, restaurants and hotels.
But, just a year after it opened, Crown Casino has announced that floor will be shut down.
Crown Resorts confirmed on Thursday the mahogany floor will be closed until business levels stabilise. Its customers will now be restricted to the 160 tables and 66 electronic tables on the “crystal” floor instead.
“Crown has made a decision to consolidate its two VIP casino floors in Sydney in response to the current macroeconomic challenges facing our industry alongside other Australian businesses,” a spokesperson told Nine newspapers.
“Unfortunately, this decision will impact some of our team members, and we are working with them and their union to consult on their options in the hopes of placing as many people as possible in other roles. Our priority is to support our people through this process and manage these changes with care and respect.”
Staff were told a voluntary redundancy program will be rolled out for affected workers, some of whom will be offered the option to relocate to Crown’s casinos in Perth and Melbourne or fill open positions in Sydney.
