Crown Melbourne review brought forward after NSW revelations
After the NSW gambling regulator last month blocked the launch of Crown Casino group’s new $2.2 billion Sydney gaming complex, today Crown Casino Melbourne has come under the spotlight.
Crown has found itself in hot water this year, with its Victorian licence now under review following allegations of money laundering.
The halt to the opening of the NSW casino and the current review of the Melbourne licence are linked.
As part of the Bergin inquiry into Crown, the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) halted the NSW opening finding criminals had laundered cash through Crown in Melbourne and Perth.
“We’re talking about potentially drugs, we’re talking about child sexual exploitation, we’re talking about people trafficking and we’re talking about financing terrorism,” ILGA chair Philip Crawford said during a press conference last month announcing the suspension.
Crown’s counsel Robert Craig, SC, told the inquiry: “Crown accepts that there were funds deposited into the Riverbank and Southbank accounts ... indicative of ‘cuckoo smurfing’ — it is indicative of a form of money laundering.”
Commissioner Patricia Bergin will hand down her findings from the NSW inquiry on 1 February, delaying the casino’s opening.
The Andrews government is now bringing forward its review into Crown Melbourne, in light of the findings of the NSW inquiry.
“It’s appropriate to bring forward the next review to ensure Crown Melbourne is suitable to hold a licence in Victoria,” Victorian Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said.
Any investigation will address whether Crown is conducting its business in a transparent and appropriate manner.
The last review of Crown’s Melbourne operations came in 2018, the sixth review. The latest review will be brought forward from 2023.
Irit Jackson, 17th December 2020
