Crown Resorts conceals problem gambling data

Crown has been accused of holding back data on problem gambling that relates to one of its key licence conditions in Victoria.

Crown general manager of responsible gaming Sonja Bauer appearing at Victoria’s royal commission via video link.

Crown Resorts failed to provide data to academics, frustrating independent studies to gauge how it is combating problem gambling and adhering to a key condition of it retaining Victoria’s sole casino licence, a royal commission has heard.

Victoria’s six-week royal commission – announced in the aftermath of the explosive allegations from NSW Bergin inquiry into Crown – spent the third day grilling Crown’s group general manager of responsible gambling, Sonja Bauer.

The royal commission is pursuing a different line of inquiry to the Bergin inquiry, which found Crown facilitated money laundering for years, by examining how the company treats problem gamblers. Minimising gambling harm is a condition of it retaining its Victorian casino licence and remaining suitable to operate its flagship Melbourne casino.

Counsel assisting the commission, Adrian Finanzio SC, asked Ms Bauer why a group of academics has struggled to gain data from Crown to complete research into reducing gambling harm.

Mr Finanzio read a letter from Professor Linda Hancock, Associate Professor Charles Livingston, Dr Francis Markham, Professor Peter Miller, Dr Angela Rintoul and Dr Matt Stevens, who are all experts in gambling harm.

“We write to convey our concerns regarding access to data from the regulator and from Crown casino, required for independent research relevant to reducing harm from gambling,” the letter states.

“As researchers, we’ve published widely on the public health aspects of gambling. We’ve experienced difficulties obtaining access to environments and data relevant to our research.”

Mr Finanzio asked Ms Bauer how could Crown advocate the need for research to combat problem gambling and then frustrate access to key data.

“It’s hard to take (former Crown deputy chairman) Professor (John) Horvath stated position, that there should be more rigorous research in this space, and then at the same time be the entity, with all the data that is not making it available for independent research to occur. You agree?”

Ms Bauer replied that Crown had not had any recent requests for data to her knowledge.

“There were some requests for data in 2003 and 2004. I have some knowledge about the loyalty program data, which actually was provided and this proceeds my time in this role

“Whether some other persons within Crown have received requests to provide the data (recently), I can’t speak on behalf of the regulator. So I’m not too sure that it can be construed that we’re refusing the data, if we haven’t had a request for data.”

Mr Finanzio proposed that the “the reason there’s been no request is because Crown hasn’t been particularly forthcoming”.

Ms Bauer spent her third day delivering evidence to the royal commission via video link after Melbourne’s Covid-19 lockdown, drawing criticism from Crown’s counsel Michael Borsky QC.

Mr Borsky took issue with counsel representing the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) Peter Rozen QC, asking Ms Bauer similar questions to counsel assisting the commission Adrian Finanzio.

“There is a fairness issue and there is a limit to the capacity of the witness to sit all day, staring at a camera taking questions from the succession of counsel who it transpires may have overlapping perspectives,” Mr Borsky said.

Commissioner Ray Finkelstein granted a 15-minute break, after which he had some questions of his own for Ms Bauer, including Crown’s need to make money in order to deliver its responsible gambling commitments.

His question followed Ms Bauer saying employing more responsible gaming advisers and enforcing game play limits came at a cost to Crown.

“In order to meet your contractual (approved by parliament) obligations to be the best casino around, you need to make a lot of money,” Mr Finkelstein said.

“Otherwise you‘re not fulfilling your promise under the contract, and therefore various policies that are adopted are to ensure that you make enough money to be top dog in town.”

Ms Bauer replied: “I probably wouldn’t have put it like that”.

“There are a number of masters that attend to the operation of the casino which incorporates … agreements and acts and those sorts of things.”

The commission continues on Friday.