The gambling regulatory body of Western Australia (WA) has recommended Premier Mark McGowan’s Government start an independent inquiry into the suitability of Crown Resorts to hold the sole casino licence in the state.
The recommendation was made following an urgent meeting of the local Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) and was backed by the Gaming Minister.
The move follows the revelations made during the investigation into the Australian gambling giant’s operations in New South Wales (NSW) and the scathing report of Commissioner Patricia Bergin into the gambling company. The report found Crown Resorts unfit to hold its operating licence for the new Barangaroo waterfront casino due to years of money laundering through other casino operations of the brand.
At its meeting on February 16th, the Gaming and Wagering Commission took into account the advice given by the State Solicitor’s Office following the findings of Commissioner Bergin’s inquiry in Crown Resorts’ operations. The GWC issued a statement revealing that it would seek to roll out an independent investigation as it was unable to find out more details associated with the Crown Perth casino in the NSW investigation that was more focused on the company’s suitability to run the Barangaroo casino project.
The Western Australia gambling regulatory body acknowledged the seriousness of the findings of Ms Bergin’s probe.
GWC Hopes Probe into Crown Perth Would Answer Questions Regarding the Casino’s Operations
As announced by the GWC, the watchdog intends to formally recommend that an independent inquiry in Crown Perth is established under the lead of Paul Papalia, Minister for Racing, Gaming and Liquor.
The Gaming and Wagering Commission further shared that, hopefully, the probe would determine the suitability of Crown Perth and its close associates to hold the sole casino licence in the state of Western Australia. Apart from that, the Commissioner also wants to find out how appropriate was the response of the Crown Perth casino to the regulator before and during the NSW probe, and how effective the local authorities, including the GWC and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, were when being on duty. The state’s gambling regulator also wants to consider any regulatory controls or amendments to the existing legislation that would address issues raised by Commissioner Bergin’s investigation.
The regulatory body explained that if the requested inquiry is rolled out, the Commission would make sure that it has the powers of a Royal Commission. Furthermore, the gambling regulator also revealed that it would seek to ratify directions that would require its approval to ban so-called junket operations at Crown Resorts’ Perth casino venue and open gaming bank accounts of the operator.
As far as junket operations are concerned, the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia said it was confident no such operations took place at Crown Perth as of March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic closures of international borders. The regulatory body revealed that the last junket from Macau to Crown Perth was registered in March 2020, while the last ones from mainland China and Hong Kong were in November 2016 and August 2019, respectively.
After receiving the letter, Crown Resorts shared that it would remain fully cooperative with the inquiry and would do whatever possible in relation to its overhaul plans unveiled in response to the NSW ILGA probe.
- Author
Olivia Cole
