Second Australian COVID-19 wave sees The Star Sydney implement new operating procedures

In keeping with new COVID-19 restrictions announced by New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian earlier in the month, Australian gambling and entertainment company, Star Entertainment Group (ASX:SGR) has implemented new operating procedures at its flagship casino The Star Sydney.

According to an Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) announcement  from the Brisbane-headquartered company, high value patrons will receive priority access and ‘several separate areas utilising the over 20,000 square metre casino floor area’ across the 25-year old venue will now be separated into distinct zones in order to comply with the new restrictions that came into effect.

Members-only access

The casino’s website notifies “access to the casino floor is limited to Members of The Star Club from 7:00pm Friday, 24 July,” while “restaurants and hotels are still open for everyone to enjoy.”

Minimizing efforts

Its main gaming floor having only just reopened to a 5,000 maximum capacity on July 1, the announcement from Australia‘s second-largest casino arrived via an ASX filing. And advised that under the most recent guidelines of the NSW Government Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No. 4) Amendment Order (No. 2), each of the separated areas inside the casino will be held to a maximum of 300 patrons, with mingling prohibited by patrons gathering in different areas, and a 4 square meters minimum distance per person maintained.

Max capacity:

To address the new requirements, The Star Sydney will also adjust its staffing levels.

The company additionally noted, “as previously disclosed, with a visitation capacity of around 900 patrons from 19 to 30 June 2020, average daily slot and table gaming volumes were comparable with 1H FY2020 private gaming room levels.”

Poker cancellations:

Last week, Star Entertainment Group also announced the cancellation of all cash games and tournaments in its flagship casino’s poker room for the remainder of 2020, with the wildly popular WSOP Sydney also included.

In a statement posted on Star Poker’s social media channels, the company said…

“Star Poker cash games and tournaments have been cancelled until further notice.

“We apologise for the inconvenience and thank everyone for understanding.”

A spokesperson for Star Sydney reportedly confirmed to the source that WSOP Sydney, which was originally scheduled for late November, was “effectively on hold indefinitely until the necessary easing of restrictions presents options.”