Crown Resorts will be able to open its Barangaroo hotel in Sydney before the new year, but the casino is to remain dormant.

• These Are the Sydney Restaurants and Cafes Reopening for Dine-In Service from May 15. From Friday, May 15, New South Wales eased a number of coronavirus-related restrictions.
• Lunch from 12noon. Saturday, 26 December. Open from 12 noon till late. Monday 28 December. Lunch from 12noon only. Thursday 31 December. Thursday 31 December. Dinner from 6.30pm. Friday 1 January 2021. Dinner from 5pm.
• Casino Nova Scotia Sydney(Celtic Junction), Sydney: See 74 unbiased reviews of Casino Nova Scotia Sydney(Celtic Junction), rated 3.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #42 of 124 restaurants in Sydney.
• The Star Sydney (formerly Star City Casino and prior to that, Sydney Harbour Casino) in Pyrmont, Sydney, is the second largest casino in Australia after Melbourne's Crown Casino. Overlooking Darling Harbour, The Star, owned by Star Entertainment Group features two gaming floors, eight bars, seven restaurants, 351 hotel rooms and 130 serviced.

The Menu for Casino Nova Scotia with category Bars from Sydney, 525 George St, Sydney, Nova Scotia B1P 1K5, Canada can be viewed here or added.

Star City Casino Lunch

The Guardian reports that the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority granted an interim liquor licence, but gambling remains forbidden at the venue.

Non-gaming operations have been permitted at Crown’s new high-roller casino just weeks after the ILGA said it would wait until the findings of an inquiry into Crown’s suitability to hold a casino licence were handed down in February before making a decision on whether to approve a range of regulatory items related to the casino’s gaming activities.

ILGA chair Philip Crawford said last Wednesday that the authority was also considering two further liquor licences for other “non-gaming areas of the casino” which were due to be decided “within the week”.

“Last month, ILGA decided against approving a range of regulatory items related to the casino’s gaming activities prior to the release of the Bergin inquiry’s findings in February 2021,” Crawford said.

“At the time, ILGA agreed to work with Crown Resorts to enable opening this month of all non-gaming areas including accommodation, restaurants, bars and entertainment areas.”

Crawford said the authority’s position on Crown’s gaming operations had “not changed” and that the interim liquor licence would only apply until April 30, 2021.

“This will enable ILGA to consider any suitability concerns arising from the Bergin inquiry following the handing down of the report due early next year, before making a further decision regarding an extension to the licence,” he said.

Sydney Casino Lunch Menus

In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange after the ILGA decision, Crown said it was “finalising its pre-opening activities and expects to progressively commence non-gaming operations at Crown Sydney from December 28, 2020.”

Former judge Patricia Bergin has been investigating Crown’s suitability to hold a Sydney gaming licence and heard allegations that the company had ignored warning signs of money laundering within its casinos.

In November, the counsel assisting the inquiry, Adam Bell SC, recommended that Crown and its major shareholder James Packer be found unfit to be involved in running the new casino.

Crown had previously indicated it would push ahead with opening parts of the new venue in December despite the inquiry’s findings not yet being handed down, and Crawford had previously said it was open to the company to apply for licences, which would allow it open its hotel and restaurants at Barangaroo.

During the inquiry, Crown made a number of concessions on its operations, including saying it said it would not deal with junkets unless they were approved by regulators, something that would require changes to the law in Victoria and NSW.

In November, Crown’s counsel told the inquiry that it had already taken steps since 2017, when allegations of money laundering were raised in Nine media, to improve its anti-money laundering processes and that more steps had been taken since the inquiry had begun.

The company also made a bombshell admission that dirty cash had probably been laundered through its bank accounts.

$1.6 Billion Crown #Sydney to Open December 28, Minus #Casino#Australia#Asia#Gambling#Tourism#Coronavirushttps://t.co/i5wuwPj1zPpic.twitter.com/RkqZo7KUCX

— CasinoOrg (@Casino_Org) December 17, 2020

Class action launched against Crown by shareholders

A class action lawsuit by some of Crown Resorts’ shareholders alleges investors were misled and harmed by the casino’s possible breaches of anti-money laundering laws.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported in mid-December that on October 19, shares in Crown Resorts dropped eight per cent, wiping $500 million off Crown’s market value, when it was revealed that financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC launched an enforcement investigation into breaches of anti-money laundering laws at its Melbourne casino.

Law firm Maurice Blackburn lodged a claim in the Victorian Supreme Court last Friday, accusing Crown of engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct from December 2014 to October 2020 by telling investors it had “robust” or effective controls in place to ensure compliance with anti-money laundering laws.

The firm also alleges Crown acted contrary to its shareholders’ interests and, in a novel legal approach, will ask the court to consider ordering Crown to buy back shares from affected investors.

Crown declined to comment.

Maurice Blackburn is already pursuing Crown through the Federal Court seeking millions of dollars for shareholders who lost money in a $1.3 billion share price crash after 19 Crown employees were arrested for gambling crimes in China in 2016.

That case is set to go to trial in 2022.

Whatever your usual festive traditions are—whether your family does a roast, a BBQ or platters of fresh seafood on Christmas day—it's completely unavoidable that the person responsible for getting it all onto the table doesn't tend to have the most relaxing of Christmas mornings. So this year, why not sit back and let somebody else worry about filling your little elves' tummies?

Here are our top picks for Sydney venues putting on a great 'do for families this Christmas Day 2020. Oh, and a heads up, due to the COVID-19 restrictions in place, bookings are absolutely essential across all of our recommendations. Get in quick!

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel

A true ellaslist favourite, the Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel team are busy concocting a menu for their alfresco Beach Club Christmas Lunch (the premium seating option is already sold out.) The package will include a 3-course family-friendly Christmas feast that's perfect for sharing, plus a premium 4-hour beverage package that's...not so perfect for sharing.

Cost: Lunch in the Beach Club: Adults $199, kids cost and menu TBD.
Stay tuned for menu and information updates here.

Pomelo Online - Restaurant quality Christmas at home

What if you could relax at home on Christmas Day without sacrificing fine dining, indulging in a decadent chef-prepared feast without leaving the house. No cooking. No dishes. Heaven! Well, you can. Pomelo Online is a luxury service offering restaurant quality, pre-prepared meals delivered. They have curated two limited edition Christmas menus full of premium family favourites. The Traditional Christmas Pack features a festive feast of ready to roast boneless leg ham and whole chicken roulade stuffed with pistachio and cranberry, and the Seafood Christmas Package includes a stuffed roasted salmon fillet and spencer gulf king prawns. Both packs also has an array of delicious mains, sides and dessert and comes in two sizes for 4-10 people. Each Christmas pack includes home delivery, instructions and Christmas colour-in kits to keep kids entertained. It's like all your Christmases have come at once!
Cost: Starting at $199 for up to six people
Find out more and order your Christmas package at Pomelo Online.

Mode Kitchen & Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel

Gather family and friends on December 25th and celebrate the festive season with a gourmet family-style lunch or dinner at Mode Kitchen & Bar.

Boasting a delicious range of specially created dishes by Head Chef Francesco Mannelli and his team, the Christmas Day Sharing Menu is bursting with seasonal festive creations such as truffle chicken ballotine with foie gras and mashed potato, along with saffron risotto and Western Australia marron. Oh, and make sure you save room for Mode's famous mango, coconut and passion fruit Pavlova!

The kid's set menu is just as impressive—with dishes like mac and cheese or lasagne for entree, fish and chips or risotto for main and of course the pavlova or a chocolate hazelnut sundae for dessert.

Cost: $220 per person, $60 per child (up to age 12).
More information here.

Q Station

An ever-popular pick in Manly, this historical Sydney site is the perfect backdrop for a memorable Christmas lunch with your nearest and dearest. You can choose to dine at the Boilerhouse Restaurant & Bar for a six-course degustation, or in the P27 Governor Bourke Ballroom for a family seafood buffet (which, unsurprisingly, is our pick!) While you fill your bellies you can gaze across stunning views of Sydney Harbour, and there is plenty of space for the kids to play while they wait for a visit from a surprise festive guest.

Cost: $200 per adult (18+) / $160 per teen (13+) / $90 per child (5 +) / $35 per infant (1+)
Find out more here.

A Very Langham Christmas

Dial the indulgence up a notch with Kitchens On Kent's mouthwatering Christmas celebration. Whether you're keen to indulge in a Christmas High Tea, want to book something on Christmas Eve or go the whole hog with a Christmas Day Lunch, Kitchens On Kent will deliver with their decadent Langham Christmas feasts.

Cost: Prices start from $49 per child and $98 per adult.
Check out A Very Langham Christmas for more details and to book.

Captain Cook Cruises

Why stay on land when you can float around the harbour on Christmas Day! Captain Cook Cruises want your family to take in the sights from their open observation deck and enjoy the feast on one of three restaurant decks. There are 3 different packages to choose from, from a premium menu and drinks package with upper deck dining to a platter-style lunch at water-level and standard bar package.

Sydney Casino Lunch Ideas

Cost: from $179.
Find out more here.

Sir Stamford Hotel at Circular Quay

The true spirit of Christmas comes to Sir Stamford at Circular Quay in the heart of Sydney, and the hotel turns into a festive wonderland for a beautiful Christmas Day lunch. We're talking a bountiful seafood buffet bursting with Christmas delights—salads, antipasto, soup, hot buffet options, carvery and dessert. Drool!

The Christmas Lunch includes unlimited access to the Christmas Fare; live entertainment and a gift from Santa himself for the kids!

Cost: Adults $249 per person, Children (6-12 years) $145, Children (under 5) Free
More information here.

Kingsleys Woolloomooloo

Celebrate Christmas Day by the water with a stunning 3 course set menu at Kingsleys Woolloomooloo. Their offering promises shared hot and cold seafood platters to start, followed by your choice of main and dessert.

Cost: $179 per adult and $45 per child 10 and under.
Find out more here.

Other Christmas Day Options In Sydney

While dining out for Christmas Day is a lovely option - it isn't everyone's cup of tea, or in everyone's budget. Luckily, plenty of Sydneysider favourites remain open for Chrissy Day, so you don't have to miss out on the festive fun.

Needless to say, beaches are a hotspot for family-friendly frivolity and many people flock towards Bondi for an iconic Christmas-on-the-beach snap. Alternatively, a stroll around Sydney Harbour and through the Botanic Garden will truly allow you to soak up the city. Much of Chinatown remain open on Christmas Day, so yum cha could well be on the menu! And while many cafes close, a lot do remain open - so you should be able to pick up a coffee and a sanga before hopping on a ferry and visiting Manly, Taronga Zoo or other iconic Sydney locations.

More Christmas Cheer

The Best Gifts That Give Back This Christmas
Top Christmas Gifts To Get The Kids Outdoors This Summer
Best Christmas Markets

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