Crown Resorts was arrogant towards regulatory compliance and didn't properly act on money laundering red flags, an inquiry into the company suitability to run a new $2.2 billion Sydney casino has heard. The Barangaroo premises, slated to open in mid December, is under a massive cloud amid the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority probe. The regulator is reportedly set to meet with Crown on November 18 to discuss whether to push back, or put conditions on, the casino's opening. Lawyers assisting the inquiry have argued Crown is not fit to hold the Barangaroo licence due to its poor culture, lack of risk management procedures and links to dodgy junket operators. In concluding her final submissions on Monday, counsel assisting Naomi Sharp said evidence across the hearings had shown Crown had an 'arrogant indifference' to regulatory compliance. '(There is a) culture of denial and an unwillingness to examine past failings. And .. a culture which has prioritised the pursuit of profit above all else,' she said. Counsel assisting Scott Aspinall said transactions uncovered during the hearings showed Crown was either ignorant or apathetic about the money laundering risks involving two subsidiary companies. 'It's open for you to find that money laundering did occur,' he told inquiry commissioner Patricia Bergin. He said money was moved through companies Southbank and Riverbank from 2014-17 by 'smurfing', a process of splitting up money in smaller deposits to avoid detection. There were also examples cash was deposited anonymously to those companies, he said. ANZ in 2014 raised 'red flags' with Crown about Southbank and Riverbank and eventually shut down their accounts with the bank. Mr Aspinall said Crown failed to properly investigate why, and the problems persisted for years. The lawyer representing Crown, Neil Young, is set to address the allegations in his closing submissions on November 16. Mr Young said CCTV vision aired at the inquiry showing a bag full of cash being unloaded at one of Crown's high-roller rooms in Melbourne was not definitive proof of money laundering. But he did concede it amounted to a 'suspicious matter'. 'We will also explain in our submissions that Crown has taken steps to prevent such events ever recurring,' he said. Many of Crown's cultural problems stem from the 'dubious tone' set by former executive chairman and major shareholder, James Packer, the inquiry has previously heard. Lawyers representing Mr Packer's company Consolidated Press Holdings, which holds a 36.8 per cent stake in Crown, will address the inquiry on Wednesday. Commissioner Bergin, who is expected to produce a final report by February, may recommend the licence agreement for the new casino be terminated, suspended, or have new conditions added. Australian Associated Press
Crown employees are rallying outside the Melbourne casino on Friday over claims of job insecurity and demands for better pay. United Voice set up the 6pm protest after the union released a report. Crown Resorts is introducing 'social distancing' at its Melbourne casino in response to the coronavirus epidemic. Crown said on Monday it would keep gamblers apart by switching off every second gaming machine and electronic table, barring standing players at seated table games, and restricting the number of players at stand-up table games to five.
Severe restrictions have been placed upon Crown's Metropol Melbourne casino by the state of Victoria, Australia, through the pandemic.
Victoria has by far the bulk of the Covid-19 infections and the huge Crown resort casino in Melbourne has now come under fresh protocols issued today, although it now has permission to reopen and expects to do so on December 1.
Crown Casino Melbourne News Today 2020
There is a capacity limit of 1,000 with a maximum of 150 players and guests in each indoor space calculated at one person per four sq.m. The venue can however, start operating table games but with physical distances between patrons. Every second slot machine or electronic table game position, has to be closed off.
Poker cards tattoo designs. The venue must also ensure the presence of a Covid marshal and observe other hygiene protocols.
There is a capacity limit of 1,000 with a maximum of 150 players and guests in each indoor space calculated at one person per four sq.m. The venue can however, start operating table games but with physical distances between patrons. Every second slot machine or electronic table game position, has to be closed off.
Poker cards tattoo designs. The venue must also ensure the presence of a Covid marshal and observe other hygiene protocols.
Crown Casino Melbourne News Today Online
The location must begin to operate under the new revised restrictions from Wednesday of this week.
