NSW Gov might roll the dice and shake up oversight of NSW Independent Casino Commission
James Packer launched a scathing attack on the casino regulator – and now fresh gambling dramas have surfaced with speculation the NSW Govt might launch a sector shake-up.
Billionaire James Packer calls it “a miracle” that casino regulator Philip Crawford still has his job.
But “for how long” is a question figures close to the industry are asking as a series of events prepare to play out in the next five months.
Mr Crawford’s current term as NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) chief expires in May.
Extending his tenure will be a decision for Gaming Minister David Harris.
More problematic is speculation the state government might tinker with oversight of the sector and consolidate the two agencies currently regulating casinos, clubs and pubs.
Sources have told The Daily Telegraph a review into the regulatory regime is quietly under way within the bureaucracy of Liquor and Gaming NSW.
They further suggest the outcome could be consolidation of the NICC and the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), which oversees clubs and pubs.
The government might then consider spinning off a new regulatory body with targeted oversight for gambling activities, not liquor operations, at all NSW licensed venues.
Where that leaves the NICC boss is unknown.
Mr Crawford was ILGA chairman for six years from 2016, when the authority also regulated casinos.
He took on the chief commissioner position at the NICC when it was established in 2022 with a sole focus on casinos following scandals involving Crown and The Star Entertainment Group.
Mr Packer’s outburst against Mr Crawford came in an interview with business news outlet Rampart and goes back to inquiries that unravelled the two casino giants.
The former Crown chairman and major shareholder pointed to Mr Crawford’s long tenure as a regulator in NSW when The Star was the only casino in operation.
He also referred to the decision by Mr Crawford to initiate an inquiry into Crown in early 2020, before it opened its Sydney casino, while not investigating The Star until late the following year.
“It’s one of the miracles of life that Philip Crawford’s got a job,” Mr Packer said.
“Star was operating under Philip Crawford’s watch. I’m not saying we didn’t make mistakes, but Star was worse than us and Star’s operating under Philip Crawford’s nose.”
The Daily Telegraph approached the NICC with an interview request for Mr Crawford.
An NICC spokesman said the body had implemented remediation programs at The Star and Crown Sydney “to transform the governance, culture and compliance standards at these venues following the inquiries that uncovered a wide range of misconduct”.
A spokesman for Mr Harris did not comment when asked whether a review was planned or under way into altering the regulatory environment covered by ILGA and the NICC.
Peter Jenkins was an executive at The Star from 2015-2024
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Originally published as NSW Gov might roll the dice and shake up oversight of NSW Independent Casino Commission
