Former WA chief casino officer faces Crown Royal Commission

Michael Connolly has hired legal representation to face the state’s Royal Commission into Crown Resorts.

Australia.- Michael Connolly, Western Australia’s former chief casino operator, has been granted leave to appear before the state’s Royal Commission into its regulatory framework for casinos.

Connolly, now the deputy director general of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, has hired Nicholas Malone as his lawyer.

Connolly stepped down as the state’s chief casino officer after revelations about his social relationship with Crown staff in Patricia Bergin’s report to determine if Crown was suitable to hold its licence for its second Sydney casino.

In his previous role, Connolly had responsibility for granting or refusing licences and approving key casino staff members. 

It came to light that Connolly had a friendship with Claude Marais, Crown Resorts’ general manager of legal and compliance, and Paul Hulme, Crown’s manager of gaming and regulatory compliance.

The Royal Commission, which will decide if Crown Resorts is suitable to continue holding a casino gaming licence for Crown Perth, will also investigate Western Australia’s regulatory framework for the gambling industry.

The Royal Commission will deliver an internal report by June 30 and a final report by November 14.