Crown Resorts public hearings begin

The first public hearings to consider media reports that Crown Resorts used agents linked to drug gangs, human traffickers and money launderers to attract wealthy Chinese gamblers to its casinos have begun.

Ultimately, the probe will assess if Crown should keep its licence to run a A$2.2bn (US$1.5bn) Sydney harbourside gaming development that company chief James Packer has championed for almost a decade.

His 37 per cent stake in Crown, a company with a market value of A$8bn, is his single biggest investment. With that centerpiece resort due to open late this year, the probe is badly timed for Packer and Crown.

The investigation will give a fresh airing to the damaging allegations last year that are still deterring big-spending gamers from playing at Crown’s casinos in Melbourne and Perth – the very customers the firm will also need in Sydney.