Inside Asian Gaming

2021 年 4月 IAG JAPAN 33 Helen Coonan has taken on the role of Executive Chairman and is overseeing Crown’s efforts to convert to suitability. ヘレン・クーナン氏は業務執行役会長の職に就き、クラウンが適格へと変わるための取り組みを監督している 巻頭特集 commentary around the Packer issue but adds, “You can assume we are in discussions with CPH about their shareholding and how best to address concerns around influence. We certainly have a discussion going on right now.” The question of whether or not Packer plans to sell down could be a moot one given recent talk of a potential buyout. On 21 March, Crown received an unsolicited AU$8 billion (US$6.1 billion) offer from American private equity giant The Blackstone Group – which currently holds a 9.99% stake in Crown it acquired from Melco last year. Blackstone is seeking to acquire all shares in Crown. Depending upon who you ask, that offer of AU$11.85 per share is either extremely generous given Crown’s share price at the time of offer of AU$9.91 per share, or extremely low based on a 30-month high of AU$14.20 and the long- term potential of the company. Crown’s share price immediately jumped from around AU$10 to around AU$12 on news of the potential Blackstone deal – a deal which is far from done given the laundry list of attached conditions including Blackstone’s own suitability to own Crown. Notably though, Packer has since stated he won’t stand in the way should Crown vote yes to the sale – potentially providing him another way out after his original deal with Melco fell through. That opportunity may be even more attractive given comments by Commissioner Ray Finkelstein on the first day of proceedings at Victoria’s Royal Commission. While Finkelstein said it was not in the public interest to go over ground already covered by Bergin in NSW, primarily due to lack of time, he promised to take a closer look at money laundering at Crown Melbourne, whether it was still taking place and whether past indiscretions constituted a material breach of its