Crown Perth

In 1984, the Government of Western Australia proposed, at the suggestion of Perth businessman Dallas Dempster,{{cite news |first = John |last = Huxley |title = Rubbish to richest in Australia's west |work = The Sunday Times |publisher = Times Newspapers Ltd |date= 28 June 1986 }} that a casino complex be constructed at Burswood Island on the Swan River, {{convert|3|km|mi|0}} east of the Perth central business district.{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = Hotel-casino For Perth |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 3 |date= 23 November 1984 }} This was the site of a large landfill facility, which posed difficulties in the proposal, design and construction phases due to the risk of subsidence resulting from decomposition and also the risk of release of effluent into the adjacent river as a result of pile driving for the construction.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/125004005 WA chooses a rubbish dump as site for its first casino] Canberra Times 16 April 1984 page 2{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = Casino Gets Go-ahead |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 63 |date= 8 March 1985 }} The winning bidder to build the complex was Tileska Pty Ltd, a joint venture between Dallas Dempster and Genting Berhad, a Malaysian casino operator.[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/122532538 From rubbish dump to luxury hotel - Perth's first casino] Canberra Times 5 December 1984 page 30

At the time, there were allegations by rival bidders of misconduct against Dempster and Premier of Western Australia Brian Burke,{{cite news |first = Anthony |last = Dennis |title = After a troubled start, WA's $300M casino is on a big roll |work =Sydney Morning Herald|publisher = John Fairfax & Sons |page = 11 |date= 9 May 1987 }} but, after a thorough investigation of these accusations, the WA Inc Royal Commission found no impropriety in that regard.State Law Publisher of Western Australia [http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/publications/publications.nsf/DocByAgency/276D079050C3CC4448256984002033D2/$file/volume2.pdf Findings of WA Inc Royal Commission], Vol. 2, Ch. 8. Retrieved on 2 February 2013. Quotation: It is understandable that others should feel aggrieved by the seemingly irresistible advance of the Dempster machine after the closing date and wonder how this "inside running" could have been achieved without some impropriety somewhere. But the fact remains that despite as thorough an investigation as has been open to the commission, no impropriety in that regard has been established. This consortium planned a two-stage construction.

The first stage was initially expected to cost $200 million, and involved futuristic-looking buildings{{cite news |author = Staff writer

|title = Genting Bhd's $300m joint venture casino/hotel complex in Perth, Western Australia should be ready in time for the America's Cup yachting series to be held off Perth in 1986-87. |work = Business Times (Singapore) |publisher = Singapore Press Holdings Ltd |page = 14 |date= 30 December 1984 }} comprising a 135-table casino, 400-room hotel, 18-hole golf course, convention and exhibition centre, tennis courts, amphitheatre and other amenities, together with a beautification of the Burswood Island area. The second stage of the plan involved the $100m construction of another hotel on the site, but no time schedule was set for this and the second hotel was not constructed until two decades later. The Tileska joint venture took up 60% of the capital in the Burswood Property Trust, which was to own the complex. Genting would run the resort, having experience operating casinos in Malaysia's Genting Highlands.{{cite news | title = Genting announces that it plans to involve itself in a hotel and casino complex in Perth, Western Australia. |work = Financial Times |publisher = Financial Times Limited |page = 18 |date= 10 January 1985 }}

Construction of the resort was approved by the Western Australian Parliament in March 1985 in the Casino (Burswood Island) Agreement Act 1985. It was hoped that the hotel-casino complex would be ready in time for the 1987 America's Cup race, to be hosted by Perth, and construction was to a tight schedule to achieve that deadline. The Burswood Property Trust was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on 30 May 1985.{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = Burswood Trust To Be Listed Today |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 69 |date= 30 May 1985 }} When it opened on 30 December 1985, Burswood Island Casino (as it was then known) was the largest in Australia, and third-largest in the world.{{cite news |author = Staff writer |title = Australia's Gateway to the Orient - Perth |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 5 |date= 23 March 1987 }} It was expected to receive two to three million visitors per year and have an annual gross profit of $100m.{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = Perth's New Casino To Make Gambling A 'family' Affair |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 21 |date= 30 July 1985 }} The public interest in the casino proved so much in its early months of operation that it posted a gross profit of $1 million per day for its first two months, far outstripping expectations.{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = Burswood Casino Posts Turnover Of $1 Million A Day |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 53 |date= 7 March 1986 }} In its early weeks of opening, people were reportedly forced to queue at the entrance for hours as the gaming floor was at its full legal capacity.

The Burswood Island Casino was opened several months ahead of schedule, and the other parts of Stage 1 (including the hotel, conference centre, theatre and indoor stadium) remained under construction throughout 1986 and much of 1987. By January 1987, the complex recorded its three millionth visitor.{{cite news |author = Staff writer |title = Burswood hits the jackpot |work =Sydney Morning Herald|publisher = John Fairfa & Sons |page = 36 |date= 21 February 1987 }} Not sharing in this financial success, the Burswood Property Trust encountered financial difficulties and sold the hotel operations in the under-construction Burswood Island Hotel to Japanese investor Brisney Pty Ltd,{{cite news |first = Marie-Louise |last = Small |title = Burwood [sic] Island to open soon |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfa & Sons |page = 3 |date= 24 September 1987 }} a joint venture between investment company Yunan Development Co Ltd and hotel operator Kanematsu Trading Co Ltd.{{cite news |first = Sue |last = Lecky |title = Burswood hotel sold for $110m |work =Sydney Morning Herald|publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 45 |date= 13 May 1987 }}{{cite news |author = Staff writer |title = Japanese to buy Perth's casino-hotel |work =Sydney Morning Herald|publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 5 |date= 13 May 1987 }} On 28 August 1987, the Burswood Dome indoor sports stadium was opened to the public, and was noted as being by far the largest auditorium in the southern hemisphere.{{cite news |first = John |last = Mcilwraith |title = A casino beats estimates |work = Australian Financial Review |publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 34 |date= 11 June 1986 }}

File:Burswood Resort.jpg

File:Crown Metropol Perth foyer 1 with lifts.jpg

The hotel's opening was delayed by 85 days, largely as a result of inclement weather and industrial disputes. This delay meant that the hotel and conference centre was not available during the early stages of the America's Cup race, necessitating refunds to overseas visitors. Although the 417-room Burswood Island Hotel opened its doors to the public on 4 October 1987,{{cite news |author = Staff writer |title = Did he tip the chamber maid? |work =Sydney Morning Herald|publisher = John Fairfax & Sons|page = 2 |date= 5 October 1987 }} the hotel's management reportedly allowed one of the casino's highest rollers to stay there a day early, during which time he won $1.4 million, which was believed at the time to be the highest amount ever won by an individual in an Australian casino.

The Burswood Convention Centre was opened on 20 November 1987, and on 8 April 1988, the entire Burswood Island complex had its official opening.

The casino was expanded in 1990, and an improved International Room (for high-rolling punters) was unveiled in 1995. 1998 saw the corporatization of the Burswood Property Trust, and also saw the complete renovation of the Burswood Theatre. In 1999, the management of Burswood undertook an extensive refurbishment program of the hotel rooms.

In 1996, singer Michael Jackson performed three sold-out shows at Burswood Dome on 30 November, 2 and 4 December, as part of his HIStory World Tour in front of 60,000 attendees.

In 2000, a $96 million resort renovation and improvement program was undertaken. 2001 and 2002 saw the opening of the Ruby Room nightclub and Champion's Bar, both within the casino, and also the opening of the Grand Ballroom. In 2003, Burswood entered into a deal with land developer Mirvac Fini for the residential development of vacant land between the complex and the Graham Farmer Freeway. Picking up from the long-neglected Stage 2 of the Burswood development plan, in the early 2000s the management of Burswood made various plans to build a second hotel on the site. Eventually, in 2003 they entered into a joint venture deal with the InterContinental Hotels Group to run the existing Burswood Resort Hotel (to be re-branded as Burswood InterContinental Hotel) and a new, 291-room Holiday Inn hotel to be constructed adjacent to the Burswood Theatre.{{cite news |first = Catie |last = Low |title = Burswood deal to broaden appeal. |work = The West Australian |publisher = West Australian Newspapers Ltd |date= 11 June 2003 }} In 2004, Publishing and Broadcasting Limited, whose principal shareholder was Kerry Packer, acquired full control of the Burswood International Resort Casino, and in 2005 re-branded the site as "Burswood Entertainment Complex". On 1 August 2005, the Holiday Inn Burswood opened for business after 29 months of construction.{{cite news |first = Rhianna |last = King |title = Timing right for new hotel |work = The West Australian |publisher = West Australian Newspapers Ltd |page = 57 |date= 3 August 2005 }} Construction finished three months early and was A$2 million under budget. The promoters proclaimed that it was "Perth's first purpose-built hotel in more than 12 years".

In 2006, Burswood closed its renowned fine-dining Windows Restaurant to make way for a newer, expanded VIP room for high rollers. This new facility, called The Pearl Room, opened in late 2006 featuring 180-degree Swan River views. It replaced the old International Room, which closed its doors following the unveiling of The Pearl Room. In 2007 Publishing and Broadcasting Limited vested its gaming interests, which included Burswood, into Crown Limited, a company controlled by James Packer, the son and heir of Kerry Packer, who died in December 2005. Also in 2007 Burswood opened The Meridian Room{{snd}}a new gaming room featuring higher stakes open to the general public. The Meridian Room is located at the site of the old International Room, and has been refurbished to feature a contemporary design. MINQ, an exclusive late night bar, accessible only by a hosted lift at the entrance of The Meridian Room, opened in August 2007. Carbon Sports Bar opened in December 2007 and features a giant {{cvt|12.5|x|4|m}} wide screen and {{cvt|16|x|52|in|mm|order=flip|adj=on}} plasmas. In December 2008, Burswood opened its new world-class dedicated poker room featuring plasma screens, dedicated bar and lounge area. In November 2009, Britney Spears performed two shows at the arena for her highly anticipated The Circus Starring Britney Spears tour. The shows at Burswood were Spears' first concerts in Australia. She was originally supposed to perform five shows in Australia during her 2004 Onyx Hotel Tour (including one at the Burswood Dome), but the shows were cancelled after Spears injured her knee while filming her video "Outrageous". In April 2010 the world-renowned musical Cats performed the first of many shows over a 3-week period at Burswood Theatre.

File:Crown Towers Perth, January 2018 01.jpg

On 14 December 2011, James Packer as the Executive Chairman of Crown Limited announced the re-branding of Burswood Entertainment Complex as Crown Perth.{{cite web|title=James Packer's punt on 'Crown Perth'|date=14 December 2011|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/business/local-business/james-packer-unveils-crown-perth/story-e6frg2s3-1226221769390|access-date=2012-05-03|publisher=Perth Now}} In March 2012 it was confirmed that the hotels on site would also be re-branded in line with sister complex Crown Melbourne upon completion of a $750 million refurbishment. InterContinental Burswood became Crown Metropol Perth from 27 June 2012, while the Holiday Inn Perth Burswood was officially rebranded Crown Promenade on 20 June 2012.{{cite web|title=Crown stakes its claim in the west|url=https://www.smh.com.au/travel/crown-stakes-its-claim-in-the-west-20120614-20ce9.html|access-date=2012-06-19|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=15 June 2012 }}

On 1 August 2012 it was revealed a new 500-room "six star" hotel would be built at Burswood at a cost of $568 million. The hotel, Crown Towers, was built by Multiplex{{cite web|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/work-starts-on-crown-towers-perth-20140409-36d08.html|title=Work starts on Crown Towers Perth|date=9 April 2014|publisher=WA Today|access-date=30 April 2018}} and opened in December 2016. It is Perth's largest, taking the casino's hotel capacity to 1,200 rooms. Colin Barnett, the then-premier of Western Australia also made the announcement saying his government was also backing a bid by Crown to increase its number of poker machines by 500, and the number of gaming tables by 130.{{cite web|title=James Packer plans first six-star hotel for Perth|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/companies/james-packer-plans-first-six-star-hotel-for-perth/story-fn91v9q3-1226440473111|access-date=2012-08-02|publisher=The Australian}}

{{update|section|date=December 2020}}

The casino operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. {{As of|2012}} it is the monopoly casino operator in Perth, Western Australia. Due to state laws prohibiting them, the casino does not feature reel slot machines. Nonetheless it features "electronic gaming machines" (EGMs), many of which are visibly similar to slot machines, but operate within parameters established by state law regarding visual presentation, operation, and pace of play.{{Cite news |date=2021-09-02 |title=WA is proudly poker machine free, but one expert says Perth's casino has the 'most addictive form of gambling' |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-03/crown-perth-royal-commission-pokie-machines-questions/100429214 |access-date=2022-06-07}}

The table games include baccarat, mini baccarat, blackjack, roulette, poker (Texas hold'em, Omaha), three card poker, casino war, progressive Texas hold'em, pai gow, money wheel, sic bo and Caribbean stud.

On 1 August 2012, Crown Limited announced it was seeking a "massive" expansion of gambling facilities, increasing the number of poker machines to 2,500 with gaming tables to increase from 220 to 350, an increase of nearly 60%. The Government of Western Australia is backing Crown's application to the state's Gaming and Wagering Commission, and the proposal has the personal support of WA premier Colin Barnett, who described the increase in gambling facilities "as natural growth," and said it was "common sense" for the expansion as it was being made in line with the development of a new six-star hotel in the casino complex.{{cite web |title=Yahoo Australia _ News, email and search |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/news/14432567/barnett-defends-huge-rise-in-gambling-tables/ |website=au.news.yahoo.com}}

Crown has entered into an agreement with the state government to build the hotel on land the government will provide for $60 million. The government's agreement not to object to the increase in gambling facilities is part of the deal. Crown Perth is the only venue in Australia's biggest state that is allowed to operate poker machines. In all other Australian states and territories almost every hotel is equipped with poker machines, while licensed clubs packed with poker machines are widespread.{{cite web|title=James Packer handed plum casino deal by West Australian government|url=http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid/207941263/scat/c08dd24cec417021/ht/James-Packer-handed-plum-casino-deal-by-West-Australian-government|access-date=2012-08-02|publisher=Big News Network|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130117232853/http://www.bignewsnetwork.com/index.php?sid/207941263/scat/c08dd24cec417021/ht/James-Packer-handed-plum-casino-deal-by-West-Australian-government|archive-date=17 January 2013}}

The proposal to upscale gambling facilities is controversial. Independent senator Nick Xenophon said "James Packer knows he has just been handed the gift that will give him hundreds of millions of dollars for years to come." Ian Carter, chief executive of Anglicare WA, told ABC Radio "The Productivity Commission report and a whole range of other reports around this country have clearly highlighted the cost to our community of gaming machines and poker machines."{{cite web|title=Problem gambling fears for WA pokie plan|url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/news/14437860/problem-gambling-fears-for-wa-pokie-plan|access-date=2012-08-02|publisher=The West Australian}}

During the 2022 ICC Men's T20 World Cup a contractor entered cricket player Virat Kohli' room uninvited, and made a video that was uploaded to a social media platform. Crown Perth issued an apology and terminated the contractor.[https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/hotel-issues-apology-sack-employee-who-captured-footage-of-virat-kohlis-room-8240535/ Hotel issues apology, sacks employee who captured footage of Virat Kohli’s room] Indian Express 31 October 2022[https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/sport/crown-resorts-unreservedly-apologise-after-contractor-shares-video-inside-indian-cricket-captain-virat-kohlis-hotel-room/news-story/8370cb789103a95387e69b10f132a510 Crown Resorts unreservedly apologise after contractor shares video inside Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli's hotel room] Sky News Australia 1 November 2022

The parklands surrounding the casino is known as Burswood Park. It was originally a rubbish tip, and also the location of a cement works on the eastern side, from the mid-1940s.{{Citation | author1=Environmental Resources Management Australia | author2=Western Australia. Environmental Protection Authority | author3=Burswood Limited Developments | title=Surface water and groundwater monitoring report - quarter 6 : redevelopment of the Swan Portland Cement site, Burswood, Town of Victoria Park : final report : BL Developments | publication-date=2003 | publisher=BL Developments | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/22792105 | access-date=30 July 2019 }}

The construction of the casino complex also saw the parklands regenerated into a public recreational facility, in the early 2000s.{{Citation | author1=Western Australia. Burswood Park Board | title=Welcome to Burswood Park | publication-date=2003 | publisher=Burswood Park Board | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10795261 | access-date=30 July 2019 }}{{Citation | author1=Western Australia. Burswood Park Board | title=Burswood Park Golf Course | publication-date=2003 | publisher=[Burswood Park Board | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/10795264 | access-date=30 July 2019 }}

The park contains wildflower displays, and a heritage trail with various statues.{{Citation | title=The art of Burswood Park : sculptures in bronze | publication-date=2004 | publisher=Burswood Park Board | url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/17023919 | access-date=30 July 2019 }} It also initially featured a public golf course that was closed for redevelopment in 2013,Parker, Gareth [http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14432580/sale-spells-the-end-for-golf-course/ Sale spells the end for golf course] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130105225517/http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/14432580/sale-spells-the-end-for-golf-course/ |date=5 January 2013 }}, The West Australian 2 August 2010, at news.yahoo with The Camfield, a large pub and micro brewery built adjacent to Perth Stadium now occupying the site.[https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/the-newest-pub-takes-shape-next-to-perth-stadium-ng-b88625272z The newest pub takes shape next to Perth Stadium], The West Australian 10 October 2017, at thewest.com.au Over the year a number of community events take place in Burswood Park, including Movies at Burswood with proceed going to Telethon Perth, and Have a Go Day, an event for over 55s.{{cite news |title=Movies By Burswood |url=https://www.weekendnotes.com/movies-by-burswood/ |access-date=30 July 2019 |work=weekendnotes.com}}{{cite web |title=Have a Go Day |url=http://www.srcwa.asn.au/have-a-go-day/ |website=Seniors Recreation Council of WA Inc. |access-date=30 July 2019}}

Image:Burswood Park, Olympians.jpg|The Olympians

Image:Burswood Park, Willem de Vlamingh.jpg|Willem de Vlamingh

Image:Burswood Park, Paddy Hannan.jpg|Paddy Hannan

Image:Burswood Park, Henry Camfield.jpg|Henry Camfield

{{main|Burswood Dome}}

• List of integrated resorts

{{reflist|33em}}

{{sister project auto}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.burswoodpark.wa.gov.au/ Burswood Park Board]

{{Crown Limited}}

{{Casinos in Australia}}

{{Cinemas in Western Australia}}

{{Perth landmarks}}

Category:Casinos completed in 1986

Category:Landmarks in Perth, Western Australia

Category:Casinos in Australia

Category:Music venues in Perth, Western Australia

Category:Burswood, Western Australia

Category:Hotels in Perth, Western Australia

Category:Ballrooms in Australia

Category:1986 establishments in Australia

Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Western Australia

Category:Casino hotels in Western Australia

Category:Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange