The future of Crown Resorts’ Sydney casino will hinge on whether it can diversify away from high-rollers, experts say, as economic conditions force the company to close one of its floors and shed almost 100 staff.

The company cited “macro-economic challenges” for its decision this week to close one of its two gaming floors, just a year after it opened in Sydney’s tallest skyscraper.

The casino, which has been operating on a conditional licence since August last year, said it will “consolidate” its VIP casino facilities and try to deploy some of the 95 affected staff to its other casinos in Melbourne and Perth.