There’s a new sheriff in town for New South Wales (NSW) casinos—actually, it’s the old sheriff, he just has broader authority.
The newly formed NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has now commenced operations, and is headed by Philip Crawford, who previously served as chair of the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA). The ILGA oversaw all regulatory duties before the creation of the NICC, which will take over the state’s casino-specific regulatory duties moving forward.
Thanks to a recent shake-up in policy, the NICC will be given an unprecedented scope of authority, in efforts to curb money laundering, foreign influence and other mishaps that have plagued the country’s casino industry for years. The maximum fine for casino operators was recently increased to AUD$100 million (US$68 million).
Crawford told local outlet 9 News that operators had better be prepared for the new regime.
“We’re keeping in touch with them and they know we’re on the game and they know we know what we’re doing,” he said. “We’re going to be a lot more vigilant and we’ll have many more tools to assist us in that process.”
The first task for the NICC will be to review the findings of the Bell Inquiry into the operations of Star Entertainment and determine whether the company is suitable to hold a casino license in the state. Crawford confirmed that the report has been received, and that it will be made public once the agency determines a plan of action.
“There is a massive cultural problem with that company, the lengths to which they went to hide poor conduct and bad behavior, not only from their own board but from us as a regulator and any prying eyes, was just appalling and hugely disappointing,” Crawford said.
