Investigation into SkyCity casino should be launched, SA Best says
It’s time for an investigation into Adelaide’s SkyCity casino, SA Best says, as revelations here and interstate raise concerns.
An independent investigation into the use of junket operators and “any indications of criminal activity” at the SkyCity Adelaide casino should be launched immediately, SA Best gambling spokeswoman Connie Bonaros says.
Following revelations reported in The Advertiser last week that a Chinese junket operator, claimed in court documents to be connected to organised crime, and his millionaire client had fallen out over $4.8 million in winnings, Ms Bonaros has called for a proactive investigation.
Ms Bonaros this week wrote “in the strongest possible terms” to the Commissioner for Consumer Affairs, Liquor and Gambling, Dini Soulio, asking that he investigate the Adelaide casino for “any indications of criminal activity”.
Ms Bonaros said the issues raised by the dispute between gambler Linong Ma and junket operator Xiongming Xie, “deeply disturb me’’, saying she was also concerned about the potential for money laundering through the casino.
High-roller Linong Ma is suing SkyCity Adelaide, Mr Xie, and another junket operator, for alleged “breach of trust” in the case of SkyCity and “fraud” in the case of Mr Xie.
There’s no allegation Mr Ma has engaged in any wrongdoing.
“I am similarly disturbed by the State Government’s refusal/reluctance to investigate the casino – particularly given the serious allegations of junket operators frequenting the facility with their guests,’’ Ms Bonaros said.
Victoria and Western Australia both recently launched Royal Commissions into casino gambling, following the handing down of the Bergin report in NSW last month.
That report found that Crown had major flaws in its oversight of junket operators, and “criminal elements, probably including international criminal organisations’’ had run hundreds of millions of dollars through Crown accounts.
The report has recommended an overhaul of casino regulation, including a ban on junket operators and new legislation which would put the onus on casinos to prevent money laundering.
“The State Government and the authorities are absolutely in denial if they don’t think illegal activity doesn’t take place at gambling establishments like SkyCity Adelaide,’’ Ms Bonaros said.
She also made the point that with increased scrutiny in Victoria, WA and NSW, “criminals that use casinos for nefarious means will be attracted to the lack of scrutiny at casinos like those in Adelaide, Darwin and Hobart’’.
Treasurer Rob Lucas last week told The Advertiser that SA would not join other states in launching its own inquiry, saying there were protocols already in place, and that he had been advised an inquiry was not necessary. He said on Tuesday he stood by his comments, and pointed out that the inquiries interstate all relate to Crown.
“The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner has advised an independent inquiry into the operations of SkyCity Adelaide is not necessary at this time,’’ Mr Lucas said in a statement at the time.
“The Commissioner has received no adverse information regarding the operations of SkyCity Adelaide from AUSTRAC (Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre) or South Australia Police that the conduct identified by the recent inquiry undertaken by the Honourable Patricia Bergin SC is evident in the operations of SkyCity Adelaide.
“If any adverse information about the conduct of SkyCity Adelaide is brought to the Commissioner’s attention the requirement for an independent inquiry would be considered at that time.”
SkyCity Adelaide said in a statement it “has always worked cooperatively with regulatory bodies and will continue to do so.
“SkyCity has processes in place to detect and prevent money laundering and we continually review these to ensure we meet all anti money laundering requirements.’’
Most Australian states have left junket regulation up to the operators themselves, with only Queensland actively licensing junket operators.
Victoria and WA did away with their oversight processes more than 10 years ago.
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