Special Manager for the Melbourne Casino Operator

The Special Manager for the Melbourne Casino Operator is a statutory role, tasked with independently advising the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)(opens in a new window) and the Victorian Government about Crown’s reform program, and efforts to return to suitability to hold the Melbourne casino operator licence.

The role of the Special Manager was established in response to recommendations made by the Finkelstein Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence(opens in a new window) in 2021.

Stephen O’Bryan KC was appointed the Special Manager for the Melbourne casino operator from 1 January 2022, pursuant to section 36B of the Casino Control Act (Vic).

The Special Manager has extensive legislative powers to monitor, assess and report on the casino operator's progress on its reform program, as well as oversee, and if necessary direct, its current operations.

A confidential final report was submitted to the VGCCC and the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation in January 2024. The final report sets out the Special Manager’s assessment of Crown’s reforms and efforts to return to suitability.

Following consideration of the Special Manager’s final report, interim reports and other relevant evidence, on 26 March 2024, the VGCCC announced its decision on Crown’s return to suitability to hold the Melbourne casino licence. The VGCCC’s decision is available on its website(opens in a new window).

The VGCCC publicly released a redacted version of the Special Manager’s final report(opens in a new window) on 26 April 2024.

The Special Manager has also released 4 activity reports(opens in a new window) on his independent oversight of the Melbourne casino operator

The Special Manager’s statutory term concludes on 30 June 2024.