The West Australian casino regulator who stood aside after questions were asked about his friendship and fishing trips with senior Crown staff will have his own lawyer on hand when called to give evidence to the state’s royal commission into the gaming giant.

Chief casino officer Michael Connolly has engaged lawyer Nick Malone to represent him at the royal commission, which could spark an overhaul of WA’s gambling laws as it examines whether regulators properly guarded against any illegal activity at Crown Perth.