NSW to create a new casino regulator following Crown inquiry
Authorities in New South Wales are planning to create a new Independent Casino Commission following recommendations made by commissioner Patricia Bergin’s inquiry.
Australia.- The NSW government will create a new independent casino regulator that will have the powers of a standing Royal Commission and will be funded by a casino supervisory levy.
According to authorities, the creation of the new casino regulator follows a suggestion made by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin in her final report, which found Crown unsuitable to hold its licence for its second Sydney casino.
Victor Dominello, minister for digital and customer service, said the new Independent Casino Commission would be in charge of approving all acquisitions, holdings or transfer of interest of 10 per cent or more in a casino licence. The regulator will also have to implement a new licensing regime for junkets.
Non-gaming facilities at Crown Barangaroo opened without the casino in April, with a liquor licence now extended until October 2021. The gaming area remains closed.
A few weeks ago, authorities also announced the creation of a new regulator for the state of Victoria.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCC) will replace the VCGLR and eventually control and monitor all gambling and gaming services in the state.
Melissa Horne, the state’s minister for consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation, said the VGCC would be stricter than the VCFLR and it wouldn’t tolerate unethical practices.
Nobody has yet been appointed to chair the new gambling commission. The VCGLR will continue monitoring the local casino sector until the VGCC is established.
Deborah Cope, a regulatory and public policy reform expert, has said the new regulatory body will have a dedicated division for employees working on the regulation of casino services and will employ people with expertise in the field.
