Government washes its hands
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation says confidentiality laws prevent the regulatory body from releasing a report on problem gaming at the state’s Crown Casino.
According to the Age, in 2014 the VCGLR ordered an analysis of player data to identify problem gamblers at the casino, where punters lost a staggering $1.8 billion during the last financial year.
The report apparently was complete last November, but the gaming watchdog has refused to release it, saying the Gambling Regulation Act “imposes a general duty of confidentiality” about such matters. It added that if it releases the information, Crown “may be reluctant to cooperate with the VCGLR information requests, or proactively provide the VCGLR with information voluntarily, for fear of public disclosure.”
Moreover, the government of MP Daniel Andrews also will not order its release, and Victoria’s responsible gaming Committee has also declined to take action. “Only the Greens and the opposition are demanding it be made public,” reported the Age.
Outraged Greens MP Colleen Hartland said, “We will be pursuing the minister in Parliament to have this report made public, but she should be making this report public immediately.” She was joined by the opposition’s John Pesutto, who added, “This is more evidence of Daniel Andrews’ secret state, where he’s keeping Victorians in the dark for political purposes. If Daniel Andrews is so determined to hide this gambling report from the public, Victorians are right to wonder what else he is keeping secret.”
Crown did not respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, speculation continues about plans by James Packer to take the Australia-listed firm private, according to the Asia Gaming Brief. The billionaire boyfriend of Mariah Carey is trying to raise AU$5 billion to buy the 47 percent of Crown that he does not now own.
For a time, U.S.-listed Blackstone Real Estate was said to be weighing the purchase of Crown casinos in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne. Another round of talks with potential partners is under way, but no deal has been struck, according to reports.
