The efficacy of the state’s gambling regulator may have been hampered by a lack of training and a narrow appreciation of its duties, powers and function, the Perth Casino Royal Commission has found.
The efficacy of the state’s gambling regulator may have been hampered by a lack of training and internal planning, a narrow appreciation of its duties and over-reliance on the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, the Perth Casino Royal Commission has found.
The Perth Casino Royal Commission released its 145-page interim report on the regulatory framework this afternoon, providing an overview of the inquiry to date and the commission’s preliminary findings.
Interestingly, the commission chose not to make any findings or recommendations on the regulatory framework until the final report next March, arguing that making recommendations at this stage of the inquiry would be “unfair to all concerned”.
It did, however, state that it was of the preliminary view that the capability and effectiveness of the state’s Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia may have been hampered by a lack of training for its members, a lack of internal plans, policies and procedures and a narrow appreciation of its duties, powers, resources and function.
The commission also referenced an over-reliance on the department to manage and direct the Gaming and Wagering Commission.
In the report, the commission said the evidence to date indicated that those issues could have adversely affected the quality of casino regulation in WA, something that would be further explored in the final report.
The commission also raised concerns about the contents of the 1984 Casino Control Act, which it said did not articulate the objects of casino regulation and may have contributed to a lack of clarity around its purpose and the purpose of the Gaming and Wagering Commission in administering it.
It said there appeared to be ambiguities in the provisions relating to the relationship between the Gaming and Wagering commission and the department, the employment status of the chief casino officer, funding of the GWC for casino regulation and and role of the GWC to monitor the suitability of a casino gaming licensee.
The report is expected to be tabled in parliament later today.
During a press conference this morning, Premier Mark McGowan said there would be no immediate regulatory changes, referencing the impact those changes could have on Crown’s 5,000 WA-based staff.
“I’m very keen to ensure that Crown, in some shape or form, continues to operate,” he said.
“A lot of people's livelihoods depend on it.
“The hotel and the like is a big attractor of tourists.”
Meanwhile, the second phase of the inquiry got underway last week, with Burswood Limited director Maryna Fewster and former Crown Resorts director John Poynton among the first to be grilled by the commission.
This week, various current and former executives of the Crown group will also be questioned, including Crown’s chief legal officer Joshua Preston, Crown Resorts Perth chief executive Lonnie Bossi, senior executive Claude Marais and executive Barry Felstead.
The second phase of the inquiry is expected to be conducted in four two-week blocks, the first of which will focus on corporate governance and operations of Crown Group’s Perth entities, issues affecting the suitability of those entities, matters outstanding from the May hearings and remediation efforts.
The commission hopes to complete the hearings by mid to late October, with closing statements by mid-December and a final report to be delivered by March 4, 2022.
