Australia's Crown H1 profit rises 29 pct on Macao casino

SYDNEY, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australian casino group Crown Resorts Ltd CWN.AX , owned by billionaire James Packer, posted a 29.4 percent rise in its first-half net profit on Friday, largely driven by record earnings from its Macao businesses.

Net profit after tax excluding any impact from volatile VIP gaming revenue rose to A$315.0 million ($xx million) for the six month ended December 31, from A$243.5 million a year ago, the company said in a statement.

That was slightly lower than three analysts' forecast of A$318.6 million, according to Thomson Reuters Starmine data.

Crown, which co-owns Macau casino Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd 6883.HK MPEL.O , said the record earnings achieved by its Macao business was the major contributor to its net profit growth.

Last week, the Macao unit posted a 52.8 percent rise in full year net profit, boosted by a flood of wealthy Chinese gamblers keen to punt in its glitzy casinos.

The company said its Australian casino businesses had been impacted by "weak consumer sentiment".

Crown shares closed at A$17.23 on Thursday. The stock has lumped 48 percent over the past year against a 6 percent rise in the broader market.

(Reporting by Maggie Lu Yueyang)

((maggie.luyueyang@thomsonreuters.com)(+61 2 93731819)(Reuters Messaging: maggie.luyueyang.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))

Keywords: AUSTRALIA CROWN/