Evidence presented to the Royal Commission today suggests Crown Casino has become a law to itself under the Andrews Labor Government.
Today, the Royal Commission heard that problems with Crown’s bank accounts were first flagged in 2014, yet the casino operator did little until September last year.
The Commission was also told Crown failed to provide details on its bank accounts to the New South Wales Bergin Inquiry until ‘the eleventh hour’, stymieing a proper investigation of its accounts.
The Bergin Inquiry made damning findings on Crown casino earlier this year and deemed the operator unfit to hold a casino licence in NSW.
The Bergin Inquiry was critical of Victoria’s approach to regulating Crown, labelling it “naive”.
The findings forced the hand of the Victorian Labor Government which had ignored years of media reports alleging money laundering was occurring and allegations of connections to organised crime at the casino.
Comment attributable to Shadow Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Steph Ryan
Concerns about money laundering at the casino date back to 2014, yet the Andrews Government rubber stamped Crown as a suitable person to hold the state’s casino licence in June 2018.
Today’s evidence reinforces why the Victorian Labor Government must immediately amend the Royal Commission’s terms of reference to include an examination of the reasons why the state has failed to in proper oversight of Crown Casino.
The Labor Government must stop hiding the details of its relationship with and oversight of Crown.
Daniel Andrews has given Crown Casino a free pass and Victorians deserve to know why.