Australian watchdog accused of putting Crown Perth finances before public interest

Western Australia’s gaming watchdog prioritised the Crown Perth casino’s finances over public interest when it gave the go ahead to speed up electronic gaming machines, the Perth Casino Royal Gaming Commission was told

Western Australia’s gaming watchdog prioritised the Crown Perth casino’s finances over public stake when it gave the turn in front to swiftness upwards electronic gaming machines, the Perth Casino Royal Gaming Commission was told.

At a hearing, former Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) chairman Isadora Duncan Ord claimed that Crown Perth’s finances were struggling when they approached the guard dog inwards 2019.

“Crown made it really crystalise at the time that they were haemorrhage money and that in that location would be a upshot of staff beingness stood down,” Mr Ord said.

It is the sound responsibility of the GWC to minimise public harm through with(p) by gambling, but according to Mr Ord, the guard dog did not seek any expert advice on the wallop of any changes made to machines.

Mr Ord claimed the manipulator wanted to increment the speeding of swordplay of its electronic gaming machines.

Patricia Cahill, the counsel assisting the Commission, said this would piddle them to a greater extent same fire hook machines and “make [Crown Perth] more money."

Poker machines get been banned inward horse opera Australia since 1985 owing to their extremely habit-forming nature.

“So on that point wasn't a balancing of interests at all. You simply weighted the proposal inward favour of considering Crown's financial interests forwards of the public interest inward minimising harm caused past EGMs?” Ms. Cahill asked, which Mr Ord confirmed.

There already existed “a real amercement line” 'tween electronic gaming machines and salamander machines when Crown Perth applied to the GWC to pretend them faster, said Mr Ord.

He also reiterated his keep for former Chief Casino Officer Michael Connolly, whose friendships with Crown Perth executives brought into head his integrity.

“I believed — and stock-still trust — that Mr Maureen Catherine Connolly was an honourable adult male and believed he could firewall his professional obligations from his personal obligations,” Mr Ord said.

“I saw plenitude of grounds that he took his responsibilities as chief gambling casino officer real seriously.”

The Western Australian Government announced Ord’s retirement shortly after he first-class honours degree gave evidence.