The company has also been facing a torrid few weeks over hearings conducted by the New South Wales Liquor and Gaming Authority which could impact its gaming licence at Barangaroo, in Sydney.

Crown said it had been informed by Austrac’s regulatory operations branch that it had identified potential breaches of the anti-money laundering laws by Crown Melbourne.

“The potential non-compliance includes concerns in relation to ongoing customer due diligence and adopting, maintaining and complying with an anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing program,” Crown said.

“These concerns were identified in the course of compliance assessment that commenced in September 2019 and focused on Crown Melbourne’s management of customers identified as high risk and politically exposed persons.”

Austrac has started a formal enforcement investigation.

Crown said it would respond to all information requests and fully co-operate.