Experts have shared that the Australian gambling sector is an industry that would probably fail to survive proper scrutiny, especially considering the fact that it has long been used as a largely unmonitored channel facilitating money-laundering and other activities associated with organised crime.
The report that was issued by the former New South Wales supreme court judge Patricia Bergin SC following an investigation into the company’s operations highlighted not only problems in the management of the Australian casino giant but could also result in further trouble for local clubs offering poker machines.
Tomorrow, a meeting of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) is set to be held, with the regulator expected to unveil whether it has taken into consideration the recently filed report in order to make a final decision on Crown Resorts’ high-roller casino in Barangaroo. The gambling regulators of Victoria and Western Australia are also expected to face questions regarding the casino venues operated by Crown Resorts locally, especially when it comes to Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth.
However, gambling market analysts have warned that Ms Bergin’s report would inevitably impact another sector of the Australian gambling industry that has so far managed to somehow avoid unwanted regulatory attention.
Commissioner Bergin Backs the Gambling Card Proposal as Way to Tackle Money Laundering
Reportedly, some findings in the report could cause some problems for New South Wales-based clubs and pubs, which currently offer more than 90,000 poker machines.
As a matter of fact, the idea of bringing stricter regulation on so-called pokies has not been new to authorities. In October 2020, Victor Dominello, the NSW gambling minister revealed that he was considering the possible introduction of so-called gambling cards for all poker machine players. The cards would be issued by the Government and would be pre-loaded with a certain amount of money they can afford to spend. Furthermore, the cards would be issued personally, being linked with the player’s ID as they were aimed at helping the authorities reduce possible pokie-related harm faced by problem gamblers. According to Minister Dominello, the introduction of such cards would also help the authorities reduce money laundering.
Now, in her report issued after the investigation into Crown Resorts, Commissioner Bergin also said that the proposal that Mr Dominello had made is likely to be helpful for the authorities to address one of the most important issues that have to be tackled – money laundering. Ms Bergin further noted that the proposal has been considered controversial, as it has been subjected to some public debate. However, she still believes that the measure suggested could be a powerful mechanism to help the authorities in their combat against money laundering.
Since the report of Commissioner Bergin was published, the chair of the New South Wales gambling regulatory body, Phillip Crawford, has called for the local Government to back the proposed gambling card. According to Mr Crawford, the implementation of such gambling cards would be an excellent way to help the authorities to find a solution to money laundering issues.
- Author
Olivia Cole
