James Packer's $2.4billion Crown casino in Sydney won't have a single pokie machine - as venue is forced to recruit punters from RSL clubs in the city's west after failing to lure Chinese high rollers
- Sydney's new $2billion Crown casino will not be allowed to include any pokies
- Crown's rival The Star signed deal with the NSW government for exclusive rights
- COVID-19 border closures also affected the casino's plan to target Chinese VIPs
- Crown was reportedly targeting punters in western Sydney to drum up business
James Packer's new $2.4 billion Crown casino in Sydney won't have a single pokie after a rival casino snapped up exclusive rights on Friday.
The Harbour City's other casino, The Star, signed a deal with the New South Wales state government for sole rights to operate the revenue spinners for the next 21 years.
Crown had been lobbying for years to remove a pokie ban at its Barangaroo site but was unsuccessful - leading The Star's share price to jump by more than four per cent on Monday.
The coronavirus pandemic has also thrown Crown's plan to target Chinese billionaires into disarray - leaving the company scrambling to drum up business by targeting RSL punters in Sydney's west.
James Packers new $2billion Crown casino in Sydney (pictured) won't have a single poker machine after a rival casino snapped up exclusive rights on Friday
James Packer and Kylie Lim seen at Club 55 beach in St Tropez, France on June 24, 2018
Crown Resorts, which operates casinos in Melbourne, Perth and Macau, China, had originally intended its Sydney operation to largely target international VIPs.
In January, however, the Morrison government banned visitors from mainland China because of the growing coronavirus pandemic.
In April, Hong Kong gaming tycoon Lawrence Ho's Melco Resorts ended it's joint venture with Crown by selling its 10 per cent stake in the company - further damaging Crown's ability to bring in wealthy Chinese gamblers.
On February 6 Crown Resorts held an event at the highly profitable Fairfield RSL in Sydney's west - inviting 124 club patrons and loyalty club members, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
An event was also held at the West HQ club and yet another event at the Bankstown RSL was schedule but never proceeded because of COVID-19 lockdowns.
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Crown CEO Ken Barton said in a statement that the new Sydney casino would indeed be welcoming local gamblers.
'[Crown] has always been a destination designed for both Sydneysiders and visitors alike. We are looking forward to opening our doors later this year and playing our part to help boost the domestic travel and tourism economy,' Mr Barton said.
The coronavirus pandemic has also thrown Crown's plan to target Chinese billionaires into disarray - leaving the company scrambling to drum up business by targeting RSL punters in Sydney's west
The opening ceremony of Studio City casino resort, developed by Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd., in Macau, China, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015
In March the federal government widened its travel ban by closing Australia's borders to overseas visitors entirely.
Even before the closures Crown's VIP business looked set to take a hit.
The Chinese government had already cracked down on the gambling industry in an effort to stem money flooding out of the country.
In 2019, Crown Resorts business dealings with Chinese high-roller tour operators fell under scrutiny after reports surfaced some of them were linked to crime syndicates.
Construction of Crown casino at Barangaroo is nearing completion with the $2billion building - the tallest in Sydney - schedule to be finished before the end of 2020.
The venue will open it's doors in February with 120 gaming tables and members only being allowed to place bets of a minimum of just $20 to $30.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Crown Resorts for comment.
Construction of Crown casino at Barangaroo is nearing completion with the $2billion building, the tallest in Sydney, schedule to be finished before the end of 2020
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