The Royal Commission into Crown Resorts in Victoria is set to carry out deeper checks than the ones held by the inquiry in New South Wales (NSW). As revealed by former judge Ray Finkelstein, the probe is set to put the gambling operator’s management of gambling addiction in the centre of its checks, although it has not been a matter directly included in its terms of reference.
On the first day of the inquiry, it became clear that the Royal Commission has still not received a response from the Australian gambling giant to its questions about whether it had violated its legal obligations in any way. The next public hearings on the matter are set to be held in April.
According to reports, there are currently 300,000 people who suffer from problem gambling behaviour in Australia. They account for about one-third of the overall gambling losses in the country that are estimated at about AU$3.5 billion. As shared by Mr Finkelstein, the impact of problem gambling does not only affect the gamblers themselves but also their families, employers, communities, etc.
Victoria’s Royal Commission has been established following the findings of the NSW Commissioner’s probe that found Crown Resorts unfit to continue holding its operating licence in the state. The inquiry of Commissioner Bergin unveiled serious issues associated with poor governance, money laundering and partnership with so-called junkets linked to organised criminal groups. As it became clear at the time, many of Bergin’s report findings were based on evidence collected at the gambling company’s casino in Melbourne.
Commissioner Finkelstein Still Waiting for Crown Resorts’ Response
During the first day of the probe into the Australian gambling giant’s suitability to retain its casino licence in the state of Victoria, former judge Ray Finkelstein revealed he had addressed the company with two letters seeking its response to the findings of Commissioner Bergin’s report. The letters also aimed to find out whether any gambling laws in Victoria had been violated by the operator.
However, Crown Resorts’ responses received by the Royal Commission were a little vague.
To the first letter sent by the Commission, the Australian gambling giant responded it did not agree with the findings of Ms Bergin’s inquiry that claimed that Crown’s wrongdoings were deliberate and wilful, including cooperation with junkets and facilitating money laundering. The company still accepted that the Bergin inquiry was free to find it unfit to hold a casino licence.
The second letter of the Royal Commission was aimed at making sure whether Crown Resorts had breached its obligations under the state gambling legislation, and whether it had an internal mechanism aimed at detecting breaches. The response of the gambling company will be crucial for the course of the Commission’s investigations.
The Commissioner is still expecting Crown Resorts’ response. He said that he will not tolerate any delays in producing documents and responses, especially considering the fact he only has time until August 1st to make his recommendations on the case.
- Author
Olivia Cole
