Get to know Aloft Perth, a tech-forward hotel with modern amenities and a convenient location near Kings Park and Crown Casino. Foreign exchange. Leaked footage in 2019 from the dedicated Suncity room at Crown Melbourne showed a man unloading huge wads of cash from a blue cooler bag to exchange for gaming chips. Australian casino operator Crown Resorts has revealed it is being investigated for possible breaches of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. The company told the Australian.

James Packer has publicly reaffirmed his commitment to the $2 billion Sydney casino project being built by his company Crown resorts. The billionaire is set to touch down in Sydney this morning – from Los Angeles – where he'll tour Barangaroo. Mr Packer is expected to meet with Crown executives – Todd Nisbet – who is overseeing the construction of the project – and Peter Crinis – who is set to run the property when it opens next year. Image: News Corp Australia

The inquiry into money laundering at Crown’s casinos continues. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Crown Resorts cannot be trusted to hold the gaming licence for its new Sydney casino because it continually resisted warning signs money laundering was occurring at its Melbourne and Perth venues and had to be “led by the nose” to the “obvious” and “irresistible” realisation, an inquiry has heard.

The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority inquiry into the company’s suitability to operate a gambling business at its new $2 billion plus Barangaroo development heard the bombshell admission from Crown on Wednesday that evidence of money laundering had indeed been found in its bank accounts.

But it came long after banks closed various accounts over their concerns, which chief executive Ken Barton was aware of.

The scandal was aired in the media last year, including explosive leaked footage of a huge amount of cash being exchanged for gambling chips in a room dedicated to VIP high rollers.

“What we saw was a person bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash in a shopping bag into a casino in the middle of the night wrapped in elastic bands, wrapped in cellophane and handed over in wads,” counsel assisting Scott Aspinall told the inquiry on Friday.

“In my submission you wouldn’t really need to see more than that to be able to reasonably suspect that it’s proceeds of crime – it speaks of someone trying to exchange ill-gotten cash.”

Mr Barton had been shown at the inquiry in July the accounts were “riddled” with suspicious transactions and only conceded it was a worry afterwards.

Mr Aspinall asked why information received from the banks was not taken seriously and why Mr Barton had to be “led by the nose” to an “obvious” and “irresistible” conclusion.

Crown Sydney dominates the city’s skyline, but gaming operations planned to start next month have been put on ice. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

“The concession that money laundering took place in those accounts was resisted by Crown month after month after month until the 18th of November,” Mr Aspinall said.

“That says more than the fact that money laundering actually occurred in those accounts.

“What is says is that this company is unable to govern itself because it cannot see the obviousness of money laundering when it is put before it and will not concede and co-operate with the regulator to agree to that proposition when it is as plain as a pikestaff that money laundering had occurred.”

Crown had failed to enforce internal controls, and while it now argues improvements in that respect mean it is suitable to hold the licence, Mr Aspinall is far from convinced.

He said the regulator would want to be sure Crown was “significantly strong to resist that maelstrom” of dodgy types targeting their venue for money laundering.

“The policies are all very well, but what a regulator would need to see is a commitment and evidence that they are going to be enforced – it’s a cultural issue.”

He said it was “commendable” Mr Barton now acknowledged the serious issues.

“But that fact does not change the problem of how the regulator going forward could have any confidence that when faced with future problems, which will no doubt arise, that Mr Barton will be able to detect and act appropriately.”

After this week’s admission, ILGA delayed the planned opening of Crown Sydney next month while the inquiry continued its investigation, with findings due to be handed down in February.

Crown, whose biggest shareholder is reclusive billionaire and former director James Packer, says it will in the meantime focus on non-gaming parts of the business, such as restaurants.

Crown Casino in Melbourne is not only Australia’s premier land-based gambling venue, but the largest gaming complex in the entire Southern Hemisphere. As such, you would expect it to be a mecca for the most popular casino game in the world: real money blackjack.

However, the Southbank establishment – along with its sister site at Burswood, Perth – has become something of a no man’s land for players of 21 in recent years, due largely to the introduction of a controversial format known as Blackjack Plus. Let us show you why this is one game Aussie blackjack enthusiasts should look to steer well clear of, and what alternatives we might consider instead.

Why to avoid Blackjack Plus

Blackjack Plus tables began to appear at Crown around 2011, and have since replaced most low-to-medium limit 21 games on the casino floor. But what is it about this particular style that has so infuriated punters and anti-gaming spokesmen alike?

At a glance, the game has plenty of rules that benefit the player:

• Natural blackjack pays 3/2
• All 21 hands are paid out straight away
• All five-card hands under 21 are paid out straight away
• Dealer stands on soft 17
• Players can double down on any hand of two or three cards

For starters, the 3/2 payout on a natural 21 is a significant improvement on the 6/5 return found in many Australian blackjack games. The fact all 21s and five-and-under hands win immediately is another big yes that was previously hard to come by. But all these player-friendly rules are made redundant by one big, fat stinker: the dealer cannot bust with 22.

The first time we here at Blackjack.com.au came across this rule, we were gobsmacked. Try explaining it to someone from overseas, and they will look at you like you’ve told them their dog just died. For in a game built around the premise of scoring 21 or less, how on Earth can the house be allowed to stand off with 22? It makes no sense.

And here’s the fun part: how does the 22 rule affect the house edge? Well, the original Crown Blackjack game bore a theoretical return of around 99.44 per cent – i.e. playing with good strategy, we could expect to regain about $99.44 of every $100 wagered. With Blackjack Plus, that figure sinks as low as 97.14 per cent when using a full shoe of eight standard decks. In the blackjack world, where the casino’s mathematical advantage is often less than 0.50 per cent, a house edge of 2.86 per cent is extremely high.

But what’s an extra $2.30 out of every $100? Think about the big picture here. This is not just your money, but every dollar spent on Blackjack Plus. If 1,000 punters gambled an average of $100 each, Crown could statistically expect to rake in over $28,000 – and that’s assuming every player is clued up and using basic strategy, which is incredibly unlikely. In the old 6/5 blackjack, that figure would be under $6,000.

So, to sum up, Blackjack Plus is a gross perversion of the game of 21 and should be avoided like the plague. Unfortunately, if you can’t afford to bet $100 per hand, you may find that your options at Crown Casino are very limited.

Other 21 games at Crown Casino

If you’re one of the lucky ones with a bankroll to burn, you can sidestep the BJ+ tables altogether for more traditional (and much fairer) variations on the grand old game of 21. You may find a few low-bet tables for these game styles, but as a general rule you should expect to pay a minimum wager of $50 or more per hand.

Crown Blackjack

This used to be the stock-in-trade before the scourge that is Blackjack Plus took hold on Southbank. It uses conventional Australian rules, with a 6/5 payout on natural blackjacks, no hole card for the house, and the dealer hitting all soft 17s. The house edge for Crown Blackjack is around 0.56 per cent.

Vegas Blackjack

If you have the cash and the clout to hang with the high rollers in the Mahogany Room, you might just find a halfway decent Vegas Blackjack table. This is as close to Nevada rules as you will get in Melbourne. The dealer takes a hole card (as is standard in the US), splits and doubles are allowed, and you have the option to surrender half your initial bet when the house’s upcard shows 10 or Ace.

Crown Pontoon

This is a distinctly Aussie blackjack variation, and probably your best chance of finding a low minimum bet limit outside BJ Plus. Crown Pontoon uses up to eight modified decks with all face-value Tens removed (i.e. there is no Ten of Clubs, Ten of Spades, Ten of Diamonds, or Ten of Hearts, for a total of 48 cards per deck). Naturals pay 3/2, and there are various bonus prizes for hands of 7 7 7 or 6 7 8 – including a Super Bonus of up to $5000. Crown also offers 6 to 5 Pontoon, with a decreased payoff for naturals.

Blackjack Sidebets in Melbourne & Perth

A handful of Crown’s blackjack games will offer side bets. These wagers are independent of your initial blackjack bet, and can be made on a specific set of incidental outcomes that might occur within the player’s hand.

Below are a few sidebet options you might find on any of the available 21 games at Southbank or Burswood. Be warned: these wagers come with a big house edge, so we suggest avoiding them unless you’re feeling extremely lucky.

Crown Suits: Wins at 2 to 1 odds when your first two cards are of the same suit. If the dealer’s card is also of the same suit as your first two cards, the wager pays 5 to 1. This is one of the more winnable blackjack side-wagers out there.

Perfect Pairs: Pays off when your first two cards turn up a pair. Exact payouts vary depending on the number of decks used and the specific form of 21 being played. In Crown Blackjack with eight decks, a mixed pair (different suits and colours) pays 6 to 1; a coloured pair (same colour, different suit) pays 12 to 1; and a perfect pair (same colour, same suit) pays 25 to 1. The house edge here is 4.1 per cent, but it can go as high as 12 per cent in Crown Pontoon.

Magnificent Sevens: One of the most tempting blackjack side-bets, with a maximum payout of 16,000 to 1 when you draw three Sevens in the same suit. You can also salute with off-suit Sevens (50 to 1) and suited Sevens (150 to 1) on your first two cards, as well as 7 7 7 in mixed suits (up to 950 to 1).

Blackpot: A semi-electronic blackjack variant, where players can place side-bets on a two-hand progressive jackpot using digital betting devices. If you draw a hand of 6 7 8 (pays 100 to 1) when playing the side-bet, you can then press the wager into the next hand and play for up to 20,000x your initial wager.

Tipping isn’t expected in Australian casinos, but many players do choose to tip the dealer. If you’re not sure about tipping etiquette during a game of blackjack, read our guide to when to tip the dealer.

Crown Rewards for blackjack players

One part of the Crown Casino which makes up for the terrible Blackjack Plus variant is Crown Rewards. This is a loyalty rewards program which is free to sign up for (either online or through the help desk at the casino) which grants members points for every transaction made within the Crown Entertainment Complex in Melbourne (and Crown Perth, if you play 21 there). Use your card while playing blackjack at the tables, electronic blackjack or any other table game or pokies machine and you will gain points, which, when saved up enough, can be redeemed for freebies and experiences. Examples include: Crown gift cards, movie tickets, free parking, birthday offers, hotel discounts, grand final experiences and helicopter tours.

To gain the maximum rewards, it also pays to be a CrownBet.com.au member as well, as the Crown Rewards program ties in with every wager you make with your Crownbet account – make sure to link your Crown Signature Club Card to your Crownbet account first to ensure points are correctly awarded each time to place a bet.

Crown Casino Perth Currency Exchange Rate

For a full comprehensive break-down of what CrownBet Rewards entails and what kind of things you can redeem with the points, check out our in-depth guide to the CrownBet Rewards program.

Get Better Blackjack Odds – Play Real Cash 21 Online

We’ll be blunt: if you’re not playing at least $50 a hand, most of the live blackjack games at Crown Casino are a rip off. From a purely statistical point of view, every gambler is better off playing 21 over the Net – and that’s not taking into account all the added perks of online casino betting. Play from home, avoid the crowds, and save money on extortionate cab fares, all while enjoying a far greater range of real money blackjack options than you would find at any land-based casino.

Crown Casino Perth Currency Exchange Rates

Unfortunately, online gambling is illegal in Australia as of September 2017 following the introduction of the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2016, so online play is available for international readers only.

Crown Casino Perth Australia

For the best blackjack games on the Web, we recommend All Slots Casino. Enjoy over 40 varieties of the world’s most popular table game, including live dealer blackjack, hi-stakes 21, and real money mobile blackjack. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, as players can choose from over 500 Web-based casino games all up – from 400+ online slots and progressives, to real money roulette and baccarat, to video poker, instant-win scratchies, bingo, and much more.

Crown Perth Casino

All Slots is fully approved by eCOGRA (eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance) for safe and honest digital gambling practices, while its world-renowned Microgaming casino software ensures the highest standard of interactive gameplay. Register today at www.AllSlotsCasino.com – our number one website for real cash online blackjack.