The Allan Labor Government will take action to make sure Crown proceeds to lead its casino in Melbourne to elevated standards while decreasing the negative effects of gambling. This action will involve the formation of new laws focused on the continued accountability of operators.
Plans for the development of fresh legislation:
Melissa Horne, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, revealed that fresh legislation will be created to increase the powers of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) to keep the Aussie operator in check. This comes on the heels of the recent ruling by the regulator that Crown is entitled to retain its gaming license, following notable attempts to entirely transform its business in keeping with the requirements of the government.
In revealing its decision, the regulator pointed out that Crown will have to abide by the transformation plan for Melbourne, which involves a series of steps aimed at enhancing client service, decreasing gambling harm, as well as integrity. In that regard, over a hundred measures listed in the plan acknowledge that although Crown has done significant work in turning away from an unsafe culture and changing itself for the better, much more needs to be done, and the firm’s efforts should not stop.
The fresh legislation will involve raised sanctions if the firm fails to act according to the statutory direction by the regulator to carry out the Melbourne Transformation Plan, according to Mirage News.
The powers of the regulator will be elevated regarding the close associates of Crown Melbourne, indicating their material impact in relation to compliance conduct, permitting the regulator to impose fines on close partners if they violate the legislation governing casino business in Victoria, the Casino Control Act 1991.
This follows crucial reforms launched at the casino after the Royal Commission into the Licence and the Casino Operator issued its report, like limits on losses on gaming machines and mandatory carded play, limiting cash transactions to $1000 over a period of 24 hours, enforced pauses in play and the prohibition of junkets. In addition, each of the thirty-three recommendations of the Royal Commission are legislated and are awaiting commencement or have now been fully implemented.
In this regard, Melissa Horne commented: “The VGCCC and the Special Manager have noted that Crown Melbourne has undertaken significant work to transform itself – and its transformation efforts must continue. This isn’t set and forget – we’re further enhancing the VGCCC’s powers to ensure what happened in the past at Crown Melbourne can never happen again.”
VGCCC deems Crown Resorts suitable to continue to hold its Melbourne Casino license:
As mentioned, in late March the VGCCC ruled Crown was suitable to maintain its gaming license and would be permitted to continue to manage its Melbourne casino. This after, Fran Thorn, Commissioner of the VGCCC, commented that the firm had formerly violated supervisory rules, failed to adequately manage risk, and showed that a revenue culture was more important than safety.