Crown Resorts in Australia and beyond
Crown Resorts in Australia and beyond
Despite a decline in profit reported for 2018, in Australia the Crown brand is synonymous with wealth and opulence. As a result of the slide in net profits, owner James Packer recently announced he was stepping down from his role of chairman of the group, bringing the Crown Resorts name back into the limelight. With the Crown name once again splashed all over the media, we took this opportunity to reflect on the Crown Resorts currently operating in Australia and around the world.
Crown Resorts in Australia
Crown is one of Australia’s largest entertainment groups, which is one of several company’s to hold a monopoly on casino gaming in Australia, wholly owning and operating the most well-known integrated casinos and resorts in Melbourne and Perth. As a tourist to either of these cities, a stop at one of the Crown casinos for at least a drink and a spin of the roulette wheel is as mandatory as a visit to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, that’s how iconic these entertainment complexes have become.
Crown Melbourne Entertainment Complex
The Crown Resort on Melbourne’s South Bank is the messiah of the Australian casino industry, with award winning facilities attracting wealthy visitors from across the globe. The Crown complex in Melbourne is home to Australia’s largest casino, three hotels (Crown Metropol, Crown Towers and Crown Promenade) including two high-end luxury day spas. The resort complex also includes more than 40 retail stores and 70 bars and dining venues. In 2014 Crown Melbourne won the prestigious International Gaming Awards (IGA) prize for Casino / Integrated Resort of the Year. Crown has got many unique games available, with these including Blackjack Blackpot and strange Crown roulette variants.- Crown Perth Entertainment Complex
Crown Perth has played a key part as an entertainment venue to the city since 1985, continuing to make a significant contribution to WA tourism. As the only gambling venue in the state to offer both table games and pokies under the one roof, Crown Perth attracts an extensive amount of visitors, including many international VIP clientele. Along with one of the country’s biggest casinos, the integrated resort includes two hotels, a state of the art convention centre, night clubs, day spas, pool facilities, theatre and many bars and restaurants. A new six star hotel is currently under construction, with a budget of a casual $645 million.
Visitors to both Crown Casino Entertainment complexes in Melbourne and Perth should join Crown Signature Club Rewards, a loyalty program which awards points to members which can then be used to nab freebies and other prizes, such as gift cards, hotel stays, film tickets, restaurant visits, free parking, and other great experiences – so long as you have enough points.
Crown Resorts in UK
Outside of Australia, the London based Crown resort is the only other complex that’s wholly owned and operated by the Crown brand. It’s also one of the most distinguished and renowned gambling venues in all of England.
- Crown Aspinalls
Located in the high-end district of Mayfair, Crown Aspinalls provides the level of dignified opulence you would imagine from an exclusive London venue. In operation since the 1960’s, Crown Aspinalls rose from very aristocratic beginnings, continuing to attract London’s elite gamblers and prestigious international guests. The prominent venue maintains its distinctly British elegance but is kept up to date with a modern edge. Membership to Aspinalls can be obtained by the elite, while guests are also welcome. The sophisticated casino has lots to offer, including private gaming and a heated outdoor terrace complete with bar and outdoor table games.
Crown Resorts in Asia
The Crown brand has significant partnerships with Melco Crown Entertainment Limited (MCE), a group of high end casino and hotel proprietors operating venues in some parts of Asia. These venues aren’t wholly owned by Crown, but Crown does hold significant interest in these properties.
City of Dreams Macau – located in the heart of the fast-developing Cotai, which is easily accessible from Macau’s main ferry terminals and airport, Macau’s City of Dreams is expanding at a rapid pace. This already prolific venue is extending to include a fifth hotel tower, designed by award winning architect Zaha Hadid. The complex currently includes a luxury hotel, world class entertainment options, designer shopping and a plethora of amazing bars and restaurants.- City of Dreams Manilla – this integrated resort in the Philippines (Best PH casinos) only opened in February 2015 but has proven to be successful in its short lived lifespan. City of Dreams Manilla covers a whopping 6.2 hectares of space, offering a collection of brands extending beyond Crown including Hyatt and Nobu hotels. The resort complex includes state of the art gaming options, a family entertainment centre from Dreamworks, world-class nightclubs, retail and dining options.
- Altira Macau – Altira Macaus it the ultimate in opulence and extravagance. This world class resort has taken out such highly sought after awards as Forbes Five Star lodging rating in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The 38 story complex features 200 lavish rooms created by renowned designer Peter Remédios, with views of Macau’s incredible skyline from every window. The complex includes the chicest of nightclubs, restaurants and day spas. Also read: Best Macau casinos.
- Studio City Macau – 60% operated by the Crown Melco brand, Studio City Macau is set to open towards the end of 2015. The large scale integrated resort will utilise a cinematic theme and include five star accommodation, extensive casino gaming plus a diverse range of retail, dining and entertainment options.
Crown Resorts and online casinos
Without a doubt one of the biggest players in Australian Gambling, Crown Resorts have long advocated for a ban on Australian online casinos, to protect their interests. This approach is unlikely to last forever and we expect Crown Resorts to be players in the digital sphere in the not too distant future. Australia could follow the US model and make online gambling sites align with a casino, or they could simply issue licenses, and with Crown Casino’s already strong branding in Australia, it would appear they would be certain to join the fray.
Proposed Crown Resort locations
More: Crown Casino online
Not everything the Packer name touches turns to gold, evident in the huge failure that was the Crown Resort Sri Lanka project. James Packer (Crown owner and one of Australia’s richest men) recently pulled out of his proposed $400 million development that was set to take place in Colombo after the newly elected Sri Lankan government blocked the project.
The incident received a lot of media attention, with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe releasing a statement saying, “”Packer says he will not come. Who asked you to come? Please don’t come – not in this lifetime.”
Crown also received approval in 2013 from the New South Wales government for a world class six-star integrated resort on the Sydney harbour front at Barangaroo. The Crown Sydney project currently remains in proposal stage with call outs for investors.