- Published:
- Wednesday, 17 January 2024 at 12:00 am
- Location:
- Melbourne metropolitan
The Special Manager for the Melbourne Casino Operator, Mr Stephen O’Bryan KC, today released his fourth public activity report(opens in a new window) on his independent oversight of the Melbourne casino operator.
The public activity report provides information on key activities undertaken during the 6-month reporting period from 1 July to 31 December 2023, including:
- assessing the effectiveness of the projects and activities Crown undertook in response to the findings and recommendations of the Finkelstein Royal Commission in relation to culture change, governance, risk management and compliance, responsible service of gambling and preventing financial crime
- overseeing Crown’s current operations, in particular compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and its broader integrity framework
- continued engagement with key stakeholders across state and federal government agencies, non-government organisations, community representatives, academics, and other experts
- collecting and analysing information and data from a wide range of sources to inform the Special Manager’s work, including observations, discussions and live demonstrations with casino employees.
On 12 January 2024, the Special Manager also provided a confidential final report to the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)(opens in a new window) to assist decision-making regarding the suitability of Crown to continue to hold the Melbourne casino licence.
The VGCCC will now decide if it is clearly satisfied that Crown has returned to suitability, and it is in the public interest for the Melbourne casino licence to continue in force. The VGCCC will make its decision within 90 days after receiving the Special Manager’s final report.
The Special Manager will continue his general oversight of the Melbourne casino operator until his statutory term concludes at the end of June 2024. This will include continuing to attend the Melbourne Board and committee meetings and independently monitoring the casino operator’s compliance with its legal, regulatory and other obligations.
Due to the legally and commercially sensitive nature of this work, the Special Manager is restricted from making public comment on the progress of Crown’s reforms and efforts to return to suitability.
Read the activity report.(opens in a new window)
Find out more about the role of the Special Manager(opens in a new window).
Media contact: media@osm.vic.gov.au(opens in a new window).
Updated