Inside Asian Gaming

IAG MAY 2022年5月 亞博匯 44 The Star Sydney I n late February, Australia’s financial crimes watchdog AUSTRAC served Crown Resorts with a statement of claim for the commencement of civil penalty proceedings against Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth, alleging contraventions of obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Counter- Terrorism Financing (CTF) Act. The proceedings, stemming from an investigation into potential non-compliance by Crown, were launched some five months after a Victorian Royal Commission found the operator of Victoria and Western Australia’s state- wide monopoly casinos unsuitable to retain its casino license for Crown Melbourne, albeit with a two-year reprieve to return to suitability. Last month, Crown was similarly found unsuitable to operate Crown Perth by a Western Australian Royal Commission. Other AUSTRAC investigations are currently underway into Star Entertainment Group and SkyCity Entertainment Group. But the timing of such action – coming on the back of inquiries into Crown in three separate states – should raise eyebrows. Certainly, questions should be asked as to AUSTRAC’s own failures to adequately supervise the sector or detect non-compliance with anti- money laundering and counter terrorism financing laws – a key focus of the Crown inquiries and of public hearings currently being held into The Star Sydney. While regulators have been roundly criticized during this FEATURES