A long-time gaming, racing and liquor bureaucrat has claimed that his name was used in a report he did not write, the Royal Commission into Crown Perth has heard.
At the time he gave evidence at the Royal Commission earlier this week, Nick Toyne also noted that the above-mentioned report has actually made it easier for criminals to operate junkets at Crown Resorts’ casino in the state. He distanced himself from the report he had been listed as an author to while giving evidence. Mr Toyne, who has been one of the first casino inspectors in the state of Western Australia, said he was unaware of the fact that his name was on the report and its contents until March 2021, right before the Royal Commission was established.
The report made a recommendation for the requirement for junket operators removal to be pre-approved. The local gambling regulatory body – the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) – went even further and decided to abolish all regulation of so-called junket operators at the Crown Perth casino. As a result, junkets were no longer obliged to provide proof of their financial standing, criminal records in other states and counties, and their intentions.
Previously, the Royal Commission had heard that the abolished measures were originally set up to help the regulators deal with the risks associated with junket operators, especially when it comes to links with criminals and criminal organisations.
Report Made It Easier for Junkets to Operate at Crown Perth
At the Royal Commission hearing, Nick Toyne explained he always signed agenda papers that he prepared but in this particular case he did not recognise the signature on the report that was presented to Western Australia’s gambling regulator in his hame.
When questioned, Mr Toyne said he was on sick leave from the middle of January until the beginning of March 2010. When asked whether he required more information about why the junket approvals had been turned down when he returned to the office after his sick leave, Mr Toyne explained that he did not feel welcome to make such inquiries in his office environment. He further noted that he was unable to approach his boss Barry Sargeant, the former director-general of the state’s Department of Racing Gaming and Liquor, and Michael Connolly, former chief casino officer.
Mr Sargeant gave evidence at the Royal Commission about a fortnight ago, saying that such regulation change was initiated by a request from Crown Resorts. The casino control officer of Western Australia, Mark Beecroft, told the Commission that the report in question was in fact authored by Mr Toyne.
While giving evidence at the Royal Commission Mr Toyne explained he did not agree with the move because he believed such policy should be part of the junket operations’ assessment. However, he said that he would have probably written a similar report if he had been asked to write the agenda paper for the regulator’s meeting on junket regulations.
- Author
Daniel Williams
