The WA government will wait for the findings of a NSW inquiry into Crown Resorts before making a decision on the embattled casino giant, despite the Victorian government today announcing it would bring forward its review of Crown's Melbourne operations.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said his government had asked the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to bring forward Crown's casino review, which is required to assess the company's suitability to hold the state's sole casino licence. The last review was held in 2018.
Mr Andrews said the decision had been prompted by "concerning" revelations at the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority inquiry, which has aired allegations of money laundering, corporate governance stuff-ups and involvement with organised crime as part of its examinations of Crown's application for a gaming licence for its new Sydney complex.
WA's Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries issued a statement to Business News which confirmed it was aware of the move by the Victorian government.
"The Gaming and Wagering Commission continues to engage with the [NSW] ILGA Inquiry and is awaiting its finding and recommendations due on 1 February 2021. In the meantime, Commission officers will collaborate with regulators in New South Wales and Victoria on matters relating to Crown Perth," the statement said.
"Junket activities remain suspended at Crown Perth and cannot recommence without the prior approval of the Gaming and Wagering Commission."
Mr Andrews said the Victorian government determined on Wednesday it was the right time to formally announce the process.
"It would be my hope that some of the issues that have been raised can be accounted for and we can have confidence that the biggest single-site employer in the state, Crown Casino, is run to the highest standards," he told reporters on Thursday.
"We're all entitled to that reassurance. But that's not a matter for me, that's a matter for the independent regulator."
Mr Andrews said the review would be "fearless".
"It will be properly resourced. It will be the right person and they will get to the bottom of a question that many people are asking: 'what's going on down there?'."
