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- New South Wales’ gaming regulator is pushing for two more directors of Crown Resorts (CWN) to stand down in the wake of a scathing report into the casino giant’s operations
- Four directors, including CEO Ken Barton, have resigned since the report by former NSW Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin was published last week
- The report found that Crown had facilitated money laundering and partnered with junket operators linked to organised crime
- But Philip Crawford, chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), said directors Harold Mitchell and John Poynton “both need to go”
- The ILGA also plans to approach James Packer’s company — Consolidated Press Holdings, which holds a 37 per cent stake in Crown — to discuss the report’s findings
New South Wales’ gaming regulator is pushing for two more directors of Crown Resorts (CWN) to stand down in the wake of a scathing report into the casino giant’s operations.
Four directors, including CEO Ken Barton, have resigned since the report by former NSW Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin was published on Tuesday last week.
The year-long investigation found that Crown had facilitated money laundering through shell accounts connected to its Perth and Melbourne casinos and was “recklessly indifferent” to the activities of criminals using those accounts to launder money.
It also discovered that Crown had partnered with junket operators linked to organised crime.
As a result, Crown was deemed no longer suitable to hold its Sydney license and a new investigation has been ordered to assess its Perth operation, which will have all the powers of a royal commission.
But Philip Crawford, chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA), doesn’t believe that Australia’s largest gaming and entertainment group had “blown itself up” enough.
“I’m in discussions with Helen Coonan regarding Harold Mitchell and [John] Poynton,” he said in an interview with the ABC’s 7.30 program.
“I would think that they both need to go. Our authority has a very strong view about what needs to change and to start with its personnel — people we can deal with and we have some confidence in.”
Crawford also said the ILGA would approach James Packer’s company — Consolidated Press Holdings, which holds a 37 per cent stake in Crown — to discuss the report’s findings about the billionaire.
“We need to talk about Mr Packer’s influence on the company,” he added.
In conjunction with Crown’s half-year financial results published yesterday, which outlined a $121 million loss, Coonan — the company’s recently appointed interim Executive Chairman — said she is determined to provide the leadership required to drive change.
“My job is to lead Crown to become a stronger company, a more transparent company and a more respected company. A better company.”
However, she added that she doesn’t not see herself as Chairman for “an extended tenure,” and that a global search had been commenced for a new CEO.
