State Government won’t probe casino operations despite deep concerns in other states
The State Government says there’s no need for an inquiry into junket operators in our casino, despite evidence they have been active, and three separate investigations interstate.
South Australia will not join New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia in probing the influence of junket operators and their links to money laundering in casinos, with the State Government saying no evidence has emerged to justify such an inquiry.
The Bergin inquiry into the operations of Crown Resorts, handed down in New South Wales last month, has recommended junket operators be banned from dealing with casino operators in that state, that the legislation be tightened to put the onus on casinos to prevent money laundering, and said “criminal elements, probably including international criminal organisations’’ had run hundreds of millions of dollars through Crown accounts.
Those revelations have triggered royal commissions in Victoria and WA, both looking into Crown and its dealings with junket operators.
Junket operators bring in high-rollers, also known as “whales”, to gamble at Australian casinos, and are paid a commission in return.
The Advertiser on Thursday reported on a court case laying out details of a dispute over $4.8 million in winnings at SkyCity’s Adelaide casino, with a high-roller alleging he was defrauded by a junket operator with criminal ties, who was being paid commissions by the casino.
But Treasurer Rob Lucas told The Advertiser that a similar inquiry would not be launched in SA.
“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.
“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.”
AUSTRAC is the federal body responsible for monitoring money laundering.
SkyCity Adelaide said in a statement it “has always worked cooperatively with regulatory bodies and will continue to do so’’.
“SkyCity Adelaide is predominantly a domestically focused casino operator,’’ the statement says.
“SkyCity Adelaide is not currently allowing any international junket programs to be conducted pending a strategic review of our international business. SkyCity cannot comment on proceedings currently before the courts.’’
The state opposition had no comment to make on the issue.
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.
In December, the Victorian Commission for Gaming and Liquor Regulation brought its review into Crown’s Melbourne entertainment complex forward by three years, citing the explosive revelations around the Bergin inquiry, including evidence of money laundering.
AUSTRAC is also formally investigating Crown for potential breaches of anti-money-laundering laws at its Melbourne casino.
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