Gaming group Crown Resorts, which is set to be taken over by a US private equity firm under a near $9 billion deal, has extended its interim losses.
It's posted a net loss of $196 million for the six months ended December 31, compared to a loss of $121 million in the previous corresponding period.
The loss was the result of a difficult operating environment for the casino operator due to the spread of COVID-19 and related major city lockdowns, as well as the impact of various state regulatory reviews of its operations.
"While we do not underestimate current headwinds facing Crown, there is growing confidence we have turned the corner," CEO Steven McCann said on Thursday.
"All three of our domestic resorts are back open."
Mr McCann said Crown was "working well with the regulators" to deliver a responsible world-class gaming operation.
In recent years, Crown has been in the sights of gaming regulators in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia investigating allegations of money laundering and oversight and compliance issues.
Crown's underlying first-half loss was $47.5 million, compared to a profit of $4.4 million.
Crown this week sealed terms for its takeover by private equity group Blackstone.
Under the deal, Blackstone will buy all of the listed shares in Crown for $13.10 cash each, valuing the Melbourne-based group at $8.9 billion.
Crown will not pay an interim dividend.
