Former casino inspector denies writing Crown junket report
Nick Toyne, a former casino inspector, said his name appeared on a report he didn’t write and which allowed criminals to run junkets at Crown Resorts.
Australia.- At a new session of public hearings into Crown Resorts, Nick Toyne, a former racing, gaming and liquor official at the Western Australian regulator, claimed his name was put on a report he didn’t write.
According to Toyne, that report was used to abolish the Gaming and Wagering Commission’s (GWC) regulatory requirements for junket operators at Crown Perth.
Toyne said he was not at the office between mid-January until early March 2010 when the paper was issued.
However, when the Royal Commission asked him why he had not done anything when he returned to office, he said that his office environment was not conducive to raising questions.
The former GWC inspector said: “In my opinion, Mr Sargeant and Mr Connolly had a very autocratic management style, and it wouldn’t have been conducive to question the process, it had occurred.”
The Royal Commission has previously heard from Gaming and Wagering Commission board member Barry Sargeant, who said GWC was aware of the risks regarding criminal conduct but did not have the resources or knowledge to deal with it.
Sargeant said GWC would rely on the WA Police and the Australian Federal Police activity despite having the power to order investigations.
His testimony came after the head of the regulator, Duncan Ord, admitted he had no formal training in casino regulation before assuming the role.
Ord also made mention of Michael Connolly, Western Australia’s former chief casino officer, who stepped down after revelations about his social relationship with Crown staff.
According to Ord, Connolly had previously notified the gambling regulator that he had personal friendships with Crown Perth staff but it was only decided that he should step aside when the matter received media attention.
The Royal Commission’s first phase of public hearings into Crown Perth has now concluded. It will deliver an interim report by June 30.
