Crown Resorts retains Sydney casino licence

Jenny Ortiz April 23, 2024

SiGMA news

Crown Resorts retains Sydney casino licence

New South Wales authorities affirm Crown Resorts’ eligibility to maintain its Sydney casino licence, citing satisfactory remediation efforts.

Crown Resorts has received validation from the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for its substantial remediation initiatives. The NICC recognized the group’s comprehensive overhaul of its operations, encompassing reforms in harm minimization, financial crime prevention, governance, compliance, and risk management.

Investment in transformation

The company disclosed an investment of approximately AU$200 million (€121 million) towards its transformation endeavours, which included the implementation of rigorous standards to combat money laundering. Crown Resorts has introduced Crown PlaySafe, a harm minimization program, and adopted cashless gaming across all electronic table games (ETGs) as part of its ongoing commitment to preventing financial crimes.

According to its website, Crown PlaySafe Centres are open 24-hours a day in all three of its Australian Resorts and provide a range of services for all guests that are designed to keep gambling fun and minimise gambling harms. It added that the centres are staffed by a dedicated and professional team within each Resort.

Commitment to compliance

Crown Resorts aims to collaborate closely with the NICC to fulfil the outlined requirements of its review. Mark McWhinnie, CEO of Crown Sydney, expressed appreciation for the NICC’s decision, emphasizing the genuine and sustainable changes implemented by the company to uphold the highest industry standards.

Meanwhile, Ciarán Carruthers, CEO of Crown Resorts, highlighted the profound transformation undertaken by the company over the past two years, emphasizing a paradigm shift in corporate culture and operations. He asserted that the revitalized Crown Resorts has emerged as a beacon of integrity and excellence in the Australian corporate landscape.

Ongoing compliance efforts

While affirming Crown Resorts’ suitability for a gaming licence in Melbourne, authorities in Victoria are conducting an ongoing investigation into Crown Perth. Despite this scrutiny, the group’s successful retention of its Sydney casino licence reflects its unwavering commitment to compliance and reform across its portfolio of properties.

Upcoming SiGMA event: SiGMA Asia 2024, 3 – 5 June. Find all the details here.