During a speech at PBL's annual general meeting this week, executive chairman PBL James Packer informed shareholders that the company's gaming unit, Crown, aims to open for business in Vanuatu in January next year. Mr Packer commented that the Island was not PBL's preferred location having requested to be based in Australia but the company could not meet the government's difficult legislative demands.

'We tried very hard to establish Crown On-line in Australia which would have created Australian jobs, however the regulatory hurdles were simply too difficult,' said Mr Packer who also confirmed that the website would target the Asian market. 'Crown On-line will not accept bets from Australia nor the United States,' he added.