NSW gaming regulator tells Crown to delay Sydney casino opening

The NSW gaming regulator has formally requested Crown Resorts to delay plans to conduct a "limited opening" of its new $2.2 billion Sydney casino in December.

In an announcement to the press this afternoon, Philip Crawford of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority said they would rather wait until the report of the current inquiry into the gaming giant is handed down.

The report is due in late January or early February 2021. The inquiry is into allegations Crown-held accounts were used for money laundering operations.

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"We are hopeful that Crown Resorts will agree to our request to postpone opening of all gaming activities, which would be unable to begin without approval of these regulatory matters," Mr Crawford said.

"The Authority has found ongoing evidence before the Bergin Inquiry to be extremely concerning, and that any gaming activity at the casino before the Inquiry's findings are released in February 2021 and considered by the Authority would pose unacceptable risks on the community against the public interest.

"In light of this, we did not consider it appropriate to determine the applications before the Authority until the findings of the Bergin Inquiry."

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Mr Crawford said ILGA is prepared to work with Crown to explore options that may enable the opening of non-gaming areas including accommodation, restaurants, bars and entertainment areas next month.

More to come.