Independent NSW MP Justin Field has called on the NSW Government and Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority to terminate Crown Resort’s Barangaroo casino licence following the release of a damning report from the Bergin Inquiry.
The report, tabled today in the NSW Parliament, found that neither Crown Resorts nor the current licensee were suitable persons to hold a licence for the Barangaroo Casino. The report also details 19 recommendations to amend casino laws and regulations in NSW.
Independent NSW MP Justin Field said, “The Barangaroo casino licence should be terminated immediately. Both Crown Resorts and the licensee have been found to be unsuitable to hold a casino licence in NSW and the depth of the failures at Crown to address money laundering risks and ”poor governance” and “deficient risk management” make them unlikely to be suitable in the near term.
“What’s absolutely clear is there is no way this Casino can be allowed to be opened in February.
“Ultimately it is up to Crown if it wants to take the steps outlined in the report to try to “convert to suitability”, but in the interest of the people of NSW, the current licence and agreement with Crown should be torn up.
“Cancelling the licence based on a declaration that they are not a suitable person to hold a casino licence removes the risk of a claim of compensation by Crown Resorts for any changes to the legislation that might have impacted future profits as per the compensation regime in the agreement(p45) with Crown.
“This is a damning report for Crown but it also shines a light on the shortcomings of the current casino laws in NSW to be able to adapt to emerging risks from casino operations.
“It is clear that current laws and the powers of the authorities are insufficient to prevent money laundering in the casino industry.
“The Government should accept the 19 recommendations to amend the law in NSW, including the creation of a new Independent Casino Commission (2-6) and to prohibit casino operators in NSW from dealing with Junket operators (11).”
