Crown Resorts faces probe in second state

Victoria will also probe Crown’s lack of controls on junket customers while NSW takes a decision on its Barangaroo licence.

Australia.- A day after casino billionaire James Packer finished his statement to New South Wales’ hearing, another Australian gaming regulator has started its own inquiry into Crown Resorts.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) is to probe why Crown Resorts did not apply necessary controls on junket customers at its Melbourne casino and served Chinese VIPs with links to organised crime.  

The VCGLR says that depending on Crown’s response, it will rule whether the firm must self-correct its actions or if it should be fined.  

Its inquiry begins as NSW will now decide whether Crown is fit to keep its licence for the new casino it is developing n Barangaroo, Sydney.

Packer, who no longer has an executive position or a place on the board, still holds 37 per cent of Crown’s stock. He said this week that he is ready to sell part of it and never return to the board as long as the firm is allowed to retain its licence.  

A decision is expected to be made by February 2021. Crown hopes to open the new casino in December, The Sydney Morning Herald reported. 

The building is due to be delivered to the operator by December 7 and the company plans a soft opening a week later.