Western Australia gives conditional nod to Blackstone's $6.3 billion Crown deal

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The approval follows nods from New South Wales and Victoria this week and clears another hurdle in Blackstone’s path to closing its deal for the company 37% owned by billionaire James Packer.

Western Australia’s independent casino regulator and the state’s racing and gaming minister Tony Buti approved the deal subject to “tough” conditions, including additional auditing and a commitment to invest in and maintain Crown’s Perth casino, the regulator said.

Crown has been under pressure for years since damaging inquiries found it enabled money laundering, while COVID-19 lockdowns and border closures battered its profit and shares.

The deal now awaits approval from Australia’s federal court at a hearing on June 15.