After an extensive review, the Western Australian government has confirmed that Crown Perth has been deemed suitable to retain its gaming licence. This follows a lengthy remediation process that saw the casino overhaul its operations to meet compliance standards and address concerns raised by the Perth Casino Royal Commission. Crown Perth had initially been deemed unfit for the licence in 2022 after serious issues with money laundering, criminal activities, and a failure to minimize gambling-related harm.

Crown Perth’s successful remediation paves the way for licence retention:

In a statement on Tuesday, July 8, Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia confirmed that Crown Perth had sufficiently met the requirements for maintaining its licence. “Crown Perth has been overhauled through a refreshed corporate and governance structure, enhanced employee screening and training models to promote ethical behaviours, as well as actions to minimise gambling harm,” Papalia said, as reported by Australian Broadcast Corporation (ABC). “It has also implemented adequate and legislatively compliant anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing measures.”

The final decision followed advice from the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC), which noted that the casino had made significant progress in addressing previous concerns. This marks a significant turning point for the casino, which has faced immense scrutiny since the Perth Casino Royal Commission’s final report was released in 2022.

A challenging road to licence retention:

Crown Perth had been placed under the watch of an independent monitor after the 2022 Royal Commission found a series of failures by the casino. These included facilitating money laundering, allowing criminal junkets to operate, and not adequately addressing gambling harm. While the report did not recommend stripping Crown of its licence, it did set out 59 recommendations for improvement.

The casino spent over two years under the scrutiny of an independent monitor, Paul Steel, who oversaw the implementation of a comprehensive remediation plan. As of today, June 8, Crown Perth has completed 32 of the 59 recommendations, with 18 still pending and 9 waiting on legislative changes. Despite the setbacks, Minister Papalia confirmed that the casino had done enough to regain its standing. “They have comprehensively changed their practices, bought new equipment, and applied new methods to ensure compliance with recommendations,” he said.

The Western Australian government chose not to impose any penalties or conditions on Crown Perth, despite being able to fine the casino up to $100 million or remove its licence entirely. Papalia emphasized that the remediation process was not without cost to Crown, citing the significant investments made in enhancing compliance and ethical practices.

Crown’s reforms and continued oversight:

Crown Resorts CEO, David Tsai, commented on the success of the remediation process, stating, “Our extensive business-wide transformation has set new benchmarks for the industry, creating a safer environment for our guests and the community.” This overhaul involved a substantial AU$200 million (US$131 million) investment, which was used to implement measures such as improved harm minimization strategies, enhanced anti-money laundering procedures, and revamped corporate governance.

The casino’s efforts to clean up its operations were welcomed by Paul Steel, the former independent monitor, who played a critical role in the oversight process. His final report confirmed that Crown Perth had sufficiently met the requirements set out by the government, allowing it to maintain its licence. To ensure continued compliance, Steel will now be part of the GWC team, providing ongoing monitoring of the casino’s operations.

Crown Perth, which employs more than 5,000 people, is an important economic player in the region. It is the city’s largest single-site employer and contributes significantly to the local economy. The successful remediation and licence retention are seen as critical to the long-term viability of the casino and its role in the local economy.

The retention of Crown Perth’s gaming licence marks a new era for the casino. With all major Crown properties now deemed suitable, the company is focusing on maintaining the highest standards of operation and ensuring that its venues are safe places for gaming. Minister Papalia affirmed, “Today I can confirm we won’t be taking punitive action against Crown Perth, as it is now deemed a suitable entity to continue holding a gaming licence under the Casino Control Act 1984.”