Crown Resorts A$72.5 Million Settlement, Why Crown Is Suing Insurer RiverStone
Crown Resorts is suing insurer RiverStone International over insurance coverage connected to its A$72.5 million settlement of a shareholder class action. That case concerned alleged anti-money-laundering and continuous-disclosure failures.
For investors, the key point is that the A$72.5 million shareholder settlement is already court-approved and the registration deadline has passed. The RiverStone lawsuit is a separate insurance dispute. It is not a new class action and does not reopen registration.
The original case is Greg Lieberman v Crown Resorts Limited, Supreme Court of Victoria, S ECI 2020 04566. Justice Nichols approved the settlement in September 2025. Crown is paying it in three instalments, and the final A$27.5 million is due by May 10, 2027.
Crown Resorts A$72.5 Million Settlement: Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
| Settlement amount | A$72,500,000 |
| Original case | Greg Lieberman v Crown Resorts Limited |
| Court and case number | Supreme Court of Victoria, S ECI 2020 04566 |
| Settlement approval | September 19, 2025 (revised September 23, 2025) |
| Class period | December 11, 2014 to October 18, 2020 |
| Registration and opt-out deadline | August 23, 2024 (passed) |
| Objection deadline | July 14, 2025 (passed) |
| Final instalment | A$27,500,000 due May 10, 2027 |
| New dispute | Crown Resorts v RiverStone International (insurance coverage) |
| New claim form or deadline | None |
Why Is Crown Resorts Suing RiverStone International?
According to news reports, Crown filed the lawsuit in the Supreme Court of Victoria and alleges that RiverStone, an excess insurer, refused to pay under excess policies that Crown says cover part of the settlement. Reports say AIG, the primary insurer, paid A$7.5 million, which exhausted the primary layer.
Crown also reportedly claims it was told by its insurers to act as though it were uninsured while negotiating the shareholder settlement. RiverStone has reportedly not yet filed a defence and declined to comment.
These are Crown’s allegations, not court findings. The case number for the new insurance proceeding wasn’t available in the material reviewed, so this article doesn’t state one.
How Much Is Crown Seeking From RiverStone?
One report puts the amount at A$22.5 million (about US$16 million). Another says the exact amount wasn’t disclosed in the documents. Because the new writ wasn’t available to verify, this article treats the figure as reported but unconfirmed.
The dispute is not about the full A$72.5 million. That was the amount Crown agreed to pay shareholders. RiverStone is being asked to contribute to a portion of Crown’s exposure.
What Was the Original Crown Resorts Shareholder Lawsuit About?
The plaintiff was Greg Lieberman. The group proceeding covered people who acquired or held an interest in Crown Resorts shares between December 11, 2014 and October 18, 2020.
It alleged that Crown made misleading or deceptive statements about its anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing compliance, including its VIP International Business and Crown Junket Program, and breached continuous-disclosure obligations. The claim followed Crown’s October 19, 2020 announcement that AUSTRAC had begun an enforcement investigation into Crown Melbourne.
Crown agreed to pay A$72.5 million without admitting liability. This was a shareholder (investor) case, not a consumer product settlement, and it is separate from the earlier A$125 million “China arrests” class action.
How Is the A$72.5 Million Settlement Paid?
| Instalment | Amount | Due date |
| First | A$20,000,000 | June 19, 2025 |
| Second | A$25,000,000 | May 11, 2026 |
| Third | A$27,500,000 | May 10, 2027 |
How Much of the Settlement Goes to Registered Group Members?
The A$72.5 million is not split equally. Before money goes to registered group members, the court-approved scheme deducts legal costs under a 27.5% Group Costs Order (about A$19.9375 million), administration expenses and a payment to the lead plaintiff.
The rest is distributed among Registered Group Members under the approved Settlement Distribution Scheme, in proportion to each person’s assessed claim relative to the others. The final distribution can’t happen before the last instalment arrives, though an interim distribution may be possible under the scheme.
Can Investors Still File a Claim in the Crown Resorts Settlement?
No. The Supreme Court of Victoria’s page says the deadline to register or opt out has passed, the objection deadline has passed, and the proceeding has settled. The RiverStone lawsuit does not create a new registration period.
Unregistered group members remain bound by the settlement and generally cannot receive a distribution unless the court orders otherwise. Be careful with any website offering a new “Crown Resorts settlement claim form,” and verify it against the Supreme Court’s official page.
What Were the Key Deadlines in the Crown Resorts Settlement?
- Registration and opt-out: 4:00 p.m. AEST, August 23, 2024 (passed)
- Objection: 4:00 p.m. AEST, July 14, 2025 (passed)
Will Shareholders Get More Money if Crown Wins Against RiverStone?
Not automatically. No court-approved plan says money recovered from RiverStone would be added to the shareholder distribution. The RiverStone case concerns Crown’s insurance rights, and any effect on the settlement would depend on the eventual outcome and orders.
Does the RiverStone Lawsuit Change the Approved Settlement?
There is no sign in the Supreme Court materials that it cancels or reopens the approved settlement.
What Should Registered Crown Resorts Group Members Do Now?
Keep your registration details and payment information current with the settlement administrator, using only official communications tied to the Crown Resorts class action. If you didn’t register by the deadline, don’t assume the RiverStone case gives you another chance.
For general background on how settlement claims and payments work, see How to Claim a Lawsuit Settlement Money? Step-by-Step Guide (2026).
What Happens Next in the Crown Resorts RiverStone Lawsuit?
RiverStone is expected to respond, and the case could involve a defence, evidence, applications, settlement talks and, if unresolved, a trial. The timetable wasn’t available in the material reviewed.
Key Dates in the Crown Resorts Settlement and RiverStone Lawsuit
| Date | Event |
| December 11, 2014 | Start of shareholder class period |
| October 18, 2020 | End of class period |
| December 11, 2020 | Lieberman proceeding commenced |
| August 23, 2024 | Registration and opt-out deadline |
| June 19, 2025 | First A$20 million instalment due |
| July 14, 2025 | Objection deadline |
| September 19, 2025 | Settlement approval judgment (revised September 23) |
| May 11, 2026 | Second A$25 million instalment due |
| September 28, 2026 | Crown’s lawsuit against RiverStone reported |
| May 10, 2027 | Final A$27.5 million instalment due |
Frequently Asked Questions About Crown Resorts and the RiverStone Lawsuit
Is the Crown Resorts A$72.5 million settlement real?
Yes. The Supreme Court of Victoria approved it in Greg Lieberman v Crown Resorts Limited, S ECI 2020 04566.
Is there a new claim form in 2026?
No. Registration closed on August 23, 2024.
Who was covered by the shareholder settlement?
People who acquired or held interests in Crown shares between December 11, 2014 and October 18, 2020, subject to the group definition and registration requirements.
Is the RiverStone lawsuit another class action?
No. It is an insurance-coverage dispute between Crown and its insurer.
Has RiverStone agreed to pay?
No court has made findings. RiverStone has reportedly not yet filed its defence.
Are settlement payments taxable for overseas investors?
Tax treatment depends on your country and circumstances, including your cost basis in the shares. Confirm with a tax professional when you receive a payment.
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Sources and Court Records
- Supreme Court of Victoria, Crown Resorts Shareholder Group Proceeding, Greg Lieberman v Crown Resorts Limited, S ECI 2020 04566.
- Supreme Court of Victoria, [2025] VSC 596 (Justice Nichols, settlement approval).
- Notice of Proposed Settlement and Settlement Distribution Scheme materials published for the proceeding.
- News reports on the RiverStone lawsuit (secondary; the writ itself was not available): Insurance Asia News (amount sought), casino.org and Lawyerly (insurance allegations).
The RiverStone allegations, the AIG contribution and the A$22.5 million figure come from news reports and have not been verified against the court filing. The settlement amount, original case number, class period, deadlines and instalment schedule are supported by Supreme Court of Victoria documents.
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher covering U.S. and international consumer settlements, shareholder litigation and public court records.
This article is for information only. AllAboutLawyer.com is not a law firm, and this is not legal advice.
About the Author
Israr Ahmad is a legal content researcher with 4+ years of experience covering class action settlements and consumer rights cases. He has researched and published coverage of 2,500+ settlements using verified court records, settlement administrator filings, and government sources. Learn more about Israr.