Crown failed in Perth, but stays on

Crown Resorts will be permitted to continue to operate its Perth Casino (pictured) in Western Australia, despite another damning report into its activities.

The troubled Australian casino operator was castigated by a Royal Commission into money-laundering activities in its other casinos, but the Perth location, the only casino licence in the state, has been subject to a separate investigation.

That report was issued yesterday and again, Crown has been judged as unsuitable to hold a gaming licence, but it will be permitted to stay on.

The Perth Casino Royal Commission report was tabled in the state parliament yesterday after being delivered to the government earlier in March.

The WA Racing and Gaming Minister, Tony Buti said in the parliament yesterday that the government accepted the findings, but stopped short of calling for Crown to be stripped of its licence. He said that the casino company should take remediation work to become suitable. He asked for an independent monitor to be set up.

The 1,000-page report cites 59 recommendations. The failures identified include evidence of money laundering, failure to have an effective AML programme; allowing junkets with links to criminals; failure to minimise casino gambling-related harm and failing to be open and accountable in communications with Gaming and Wagering Commission.

The report acknowledged that Crown was taking steps to improve, so the situation had changed, following changes that had also taken place in New South Wales and Victoria where Crown has other casinos.

“A lot has changed, mainly for the better, even since the Victorian inquiry reported in October 2021,” said the report.