Fiona Patten, a crossbench Member of Parliament at the Victorian upper house, has urged the lawmakers to commission a parliamentary inquiry into Crown Casino operations. Her calls come after the casino gambling giant faced some allegations of money laundering following a joint investigation by a number of local media hubs.
Ms Patten, who also heads the Reason Party, shared that she wants to see a debate open in the Victorian upper house so that the allegations against Crown Casino are addressed immediately. She also wants the role of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation checked because she believes that the gaming commission is not doing its job.
As previously reported by Casino Guardian, the allegations which are being faced by the largest gambling operator in Australia include links to organised crime, money laundering and drug dealing. The Victorian upper house crossbench MP reminded that Crown is actually the biggest single-site employer in the state of Victoria, so such insinuations could not be left unaddressed. According to Ms Patten, this is a matter the parliament should immediately deal with.
Ms Patten shared her hopes to get support from both the Government and the opposition on the matter and see the issue discussed in parliament.
Crown Resorts Faced Allegations of Organised Crime and Money Laundering
The leader of the Liberal Party, Michael O’Brien, explained that the matter was addressed appropriately. He explained that the local gambling regulatory body is very powerful, so it would get to the bottom of the issues.
Earlier in August, the Victorian State Government issued an order for the regulator to once again address the allegations of money laundering which has been allegedly happening at the Crown Casino along with other criminal activity.
Apart from that, the casino giant is also subjected to an investigation from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. The matter has been addressed by the federal government, too, with the Government referring the issue to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity. Apart from that, an investigation will also be held by the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority in terms of the Crown Resorts’ share sale to an entertainment operator based in Macau.
Crown Resorts has rejected the allegations but it has promised to e cooperative in the upcoming investigation into alleged connections with Stanley Ho. The stake purchase in the Australian company had to be closed soon, but it turned out that Lawrence Ho from the Melco Resorts and Entertainment which is purchasing the stake, has been banned from any involvement with Crown Resorts due to the Australian casino company’s links with his father Stanley Ho.
According to company documents, Lawrence Ho was a director of Lanceford Company Limited until June 28th. This company, however, was included in a list containing 59 companies and individuals who had been associates of Stanley Ho and who were not allowed to do business with Crown Resorts under a Barangaroo casino licence condition.
- Author
Olivia Cole
