After 17 months in limbo, Australia's Crown Resorts to take bets in Sydney

The decision by the New South Wales gambling regulator ends a state of limbo for Crown's new waterfront resort, which had its licence suspended just before opening 17 months ago amid claims of shirking anti-money laundering rules and dysfunctional governance at its other assets. (A pedestrian walks along the waterfront as the Crown Resorts Ltd. Barangaroo South luxury hotel resort and One Barangaroo Crown residences development overlooks the harbor in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020. - Reuters file pic)

Australia's biggest state on Wednesday cleared casino operator Crown Resorts Ltd CWN.AX to take bets at a A$2.2 billion ($1.5 billion) Sydney casino, a breakthrough after a years-long money-laundering scandal crippled its growth plans.

The decision by the New South Wales gambling regulator ends a state of limbo for Crown's new waterfront resort, which had its licence suspended just before opening 17 months ago amid claims of shirking anti-money laundering rules and dysfunctional governance at its other assets.