How gambling authorities missed Crown's criminal ties

It was a big problem for James Packer's Crown Casino Empire.

In September 2014, Four Corners said that Melco Crown, a joint venture in the crown Macau, was connected to organizational crime, (cleaning of drug funds and sexual personal sales, violent debt. He revealed that he had been calling a high roller from mainland China using a notorious triad gang).

The junket contractor also included Sun City. San City has long been pointed out by legal enforcement agencies around the world, saying that there is a connection with triad.

Four Corners says that San City not only runs a part of Macau's Melco Crown's VIP room, but also calls Chinese high rollers to James Packer Crown Casino in Australia. Was revealed.

What happened from this shocking exposure? There was nothing at that time.

The main political parties have hardly responded to this powerful and politically connected company.

In addition, the Gamble and Bulks Regulatory Committee (VCGLR), an important Australian regulatory organization, has few reactions to supervise a huge casino facility in the South Bank of the Yara River, the jewel of the Crown Empire.

In 2014, Four Corners revealed that Crown had called Chinese high roller to James Packer's Crown Casino. (AP: Kin Cheung)

One year ago, in 2013, Victoria's regulatory authorities conducted a fifth regular screening on Crown's Melbourne Casin o-operated license and passed brilliantly.

Last year, history was repeated, failing to eradicate criminal acts, and later exposed by the media.

In June 2018, VCGLR again reviewed the crown's management license and determined that it was an "appropriate" operator, but it was legal to evaluate whether the casino operation had no effect. 。

A year later, the Nine Shimbun and 60 Minits discovered a powerful evidence that the Crown rely on business partners connected to Asian criminal organizations involved in sexual trading and drug trafficking for many years.

The report showed that criminals were cleaning funds through the crown's casino business, and that a giant casino operating company was helping criminals to the country.

There are few surveys by regulatory authorities in the country for transactions between Crown and Chinese gamblers. (Flickr: Carol Von Canon)

This time, the impact was made.

With this exposure, the New South Wales State Independent Sake Gambling Bureau has established a research institution with the Royal Committee's authority.

Led by former NSW Supreme Court Justice Patricia Bergin, the group has exposed Crown's huge failings.

And Crown's licence to run the just-completed Barangaroo casino in Sydney is at risk after it admitted it was used as a vehicle for money laundering.

All this begs the question: why have Crown's failings been exposed in the media and the regulator kept quiet?

Victorian regulator 'asleep at the wheel'

Former Victorian Gambling Minister Tony Robinson's answer is: "The best we can say about the Victorian regulator is that they've been asleep at the wheel for years.

He points out that the primary purpose of the state's Casino Control Act is "to establish a system of licensing, supervision and control of casinos with the purpose of ensuring that the management and operation of casinos is free from criminal influence and exploitation".

"And that's the crux of the matter.

"There doesn't need to be a compelling case presented that there's criminal influence there.

"The purpose of this law is to ensure there's no criminal influence and even if there's any suggestion there's anything untoward the regulator should be on the spot to answer."

Tim Costello, a former Baptist minister, brother of the former federal Treasurer and advocate for the Gambling Reform Alliance, said Victorian regulators had "failed shockingly and obviously and let Victorians down".

"It's no secret that casinos around the world are targets for high levels of money laundering, crime, drugs and women trafficking, but in Victoria, this is happening under regulators' noses and they're not sounding the alarm.

Tim Costello says the gambling industry is a blind spot for state governments. (ABC News: Jeremy Story Carter)

According to Charles Livingstone, an associate professor at Monash University who studies gambling policy, politics and regulation, the media revelations about Crown came as no surprise to regulators.

"The VCGLR and other gambling regulators have completely failed to properly regulate this business.

"It's a huge failure for regulators to spot it."

VCGLR CEO Catherine Myers declined an interview request, but in written responses to questions from the ABC, the regulator denies these criticisms.

CROWN MELBOURNE's sixth review of CROWN MELBOURNE, which was completed in July 2018, argued that "we have thoroughly examined casinos operations throughout the fiv e-year review period."

In cooperation with the Australian Federal Police, the Australian CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE COMISSISSION (Austrac), the ant i-money laundering agency has obtained information on ant i-money laundering / terrorist funding obligations.

VCGLR stated that "the consultation with these institutions has indicated that the crown is generally observed," and that compliance with the Money Laundering Prevention Law is "Austrac problem."

However, at the time VCGLR stated that it had made a "thorough" review, a junket operator connected to organizational crimes cooperated with the crown, bringing billions of dollars from the Melbourne casino door. That's it.

At least as of 2014, reliable sources have publicly raised concerns about these criminal officials, and there are abundant materials that regulatory authorities could easily access them.

VCGLR says police provided no information raising concerns about Crown

The regulatory authorities demanded a list of all partnerships with the crown, and did not independently investigate whether they were related to crimes and whether reputable people are representative. Is it?

VCGLR argues that the law enforcement agency has not received information about the crown and its concerned concerns, but this is a question about the disconnection of communication between the police and the gambling regulation authorities. Or suggests that the regulatory authorities did not ask properly.

It is a public record that the law enforcement agency had serious concerns about Crown's business partner and its crime.

"The Crown's actions are detailed in briefings on confidential law execution and regulations from the police throughout Australacia," Nine Paper reported in a crown ampulagdo survey.

"These briefings have been gradually disadvantaged since 10 years ago, and have been questioning gambling regulation authorities, which have been accused of driving, and security institutions in the state and the federal."

Four Corners reported in 2014 that Martin Purblick, Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, had a confidential presentation in Australia in a seminar sponsored by the Victorian Police in the same year.

Crown's balangaroo complex will open in December. (ABC News: James Carmody)

Former Hong Kong detectives warned attendees about the relationship between Macau junkets and organizational crimes, especially warnings of some individuals related to Suncity, and one of the owners and one of the main personnel. "Macau 14K Triad's Wan Kuok-Koi believer in 1998" in 1998.

VCGLR's 6th Annual Casino Review revealed that Crown Melbourne had no crime and had no infamous friends, but Sun City settled in the crown's Melbourne casino and had a VIP room for high rollers. I was running.

Despite the pride that the regulatory authorities have a "specialized team that works in the crown company 7 days a week and a specialized audit / survey team that examines and evaluates the crown's casino activity". ,

"I think the characteristic of the report is lack of curiosity and lack of Initiative," Robinson says.

"When the mission to regulate a group was given, it was because Congress decided that there was a public benefit to protect, and turned to the mission with a curiosity that would not get tired of it, and focus on what he did not know. Do not be satisfied with what is presented.

"You have to make a detour or have a way to get information in another way. What is worrisome is that, despite the fact that the regulatory authorities in Victoria have been offered complaints and suspicion information. It seems that it was not.

Melco Crown is a joint venture with Lawrence Ho, the son of the infamous Stanley Ho. Lawrence has been banned from owning a casino in the state by Gaming Authority, New Southwales, and has been banned from Canada and American authorities on suspicion of triads and organizational crimes.

Stanley Ho, who died in May, has always denied allegations of connection with crime, and his son has definitely denied his criminal impact on business interests.

In China, gambling is illegal, and the act of inviting high rollers to gamble overseas is illegal.

Australia's millionaire Games Packer is a large shareholder and director of Crown Resorts. (AAP: Tracey Nearmy)

In 2017, Packer and Crown abandoned the Macau joint venture with the Ho clan in the crackdown of illegal gambling in China, and as a result, 19 crown staff in China were arrested and many were imprisoned in prison. The Crown paid a fine of nearly $ 1. 7 million in the staff.

Victoria's regulatory authorities recognized the issue, but chose to consider the License in 2018 because the crown delayed all related documents.

Charles Livingston accused the crown and the major regulatory authorities as "a typical case for regulatory authorities."

The relationship between the crown and its major regulatory authorities was accused of "importing typical regulations."

According to Costello: "In Victoria, the political rule of the crown and the rule of regulatory authorities have become culture. Regulatory authorities have gone to the crown and have been obedient and obedient.

VCGLR denies this directly.

According to the ABC answer, "Corporate Governance, Risk, Risk, Regulatory compliance, in the main areas of responsible gambling, 20 recommendations for business improvements are recorded." 。

Only one of these recommendations was related to money laundering.

Most were related to gambling and problem gambling, and the rest were mainly technical issues for corporate governance.

There was nothing related to the crown exploitation by an organizational criminal.

Victoria's regulatory authorities have also "reliably implemented an internal control system approved by the remodeling of a poker machine and restricting the betting options, and" approved internal control systems approved to the junket operator. He did not do it. "He also pointed out the fines imposed to casino operators, including fines $ 150, 000 in 2017.

However, this is a fine, compared to the billions of dollars raised from the Chinese high roller introduced by Crown's Junko Operator.

"The fine is not a big deal for the crown.

"This fine has no meaning for the crown.

"It's difficult to imagine a fine to suppress millions of dollars, even if it's billions of dollars," said Livingston.

However, such actions in Victoria have already been categorically denied.

Victorian Premier says there's no possibility Crown could lose Melbourne license

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said Crown's license will not be revoked or suspended following the NSW investigation. (AAP: Rob Blakers)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is a former gaming minister.

A few weeks ago, amid scandalous revelations in the NSW investigation, he publicly stated that Crown would not lose its license to operate its Melbourne casino.

After Crown admitted at a NSW hearing that money laundering had taken place at its Melbourne and Perth casinos, he was asked if Crown's license could be revoked or suspended.

The Premier simply replied, "No."

On October 9, the VCGLR issued a statement saying it would "demand an explanation from Crown Melbourne Limited for its conduct in relation to its engagement with junket participants."

It said possible disciplinary action could include "imposing fines, issuing letters of caution and ordering Crown to take corrective measures", but excluded the most severe sanctions - suspension or loss of licence.

One reason for the reluctance to consider revoking or suspending Crown's licence is Crown's huge presence in the Victorian and Melbourne economies.

Crown is the state's and possibly the country's largest single employer, providing thousands of jobs and huge gambling tax revenues to the government.

"When well run, Crown makes a significant contribution to Victoria.

"Crown probably pays more tax than any other business in Victoria. Crown is an integral part of Victoria's major events strategy."

"Crown's dilemma is that Crown is so important to the city of Melbourne, to Victoria and to thousands, tens of thousands of Victorians.

Crown's board and management are heavily politically connected, including long-time board chair and former Liberal senator Helen Coonan, Labor strongman Karl Bitter and Daniel Andrews' former right-hand man Chris Riley. Former federal Labor senator Mark Arbib resigned just a few days ago.

But it's almost certain that Crown's board and management will be replaced.

Former Liberal senator Helen Coonan has been appointed chairman of Crown Resorts. (ABC TV)

"The only way for the crown to survive as a licensed holder is a full reform, and I think it's to wipe out all directors and all senior managers," said Robinson.

"Directors and senior managers were part of the business when criminal influence was exercised through money laundering. After acknowledging, passing the aptitude test, which is part of the law. I can't.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

"The true risk of the casino is money laundering, which is, of course, a flip of drug trading.

The real risk of the casino is money laundering.

Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2020 18:56:30 November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56 on November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56

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Why is James Packer fronting an inquiry over Crown's behaviour?

A year ago Crown insisted it was sinless over money laundering, association with criminals and arrests in China. So why is the scion of one of Australia’s richest families facing a grilling in an inquiry? And what is at stake for Crown's casinos?

By Patrick Hatch

October 5, 2020 keep Login, subscribe to save articles.

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James Pucker will be on a testimony on Tuesday afternoon in a new South Wales survey on Crown Casino. When his father, Kelly, was taken to the Senate's investigative committee to receive interrogation on the ownership of the media, the US spokesman gained expectations.

At that time, Kelly preached the lessons of power to the Senator and said, "If there are any people in this country, I want them to wash their necks."

Journalists, politicians, and one of the leading corporate dynasties of Australia are answering questions about the actions of a major casino crown resorts, which was once run by a young Packer in a super yacht in the South Pacific Ocean. You can see it in digital images.

So why did the descendant of the wealthy family in Australia get such a interrogation? What is this survey? And what is the crown casino?

James Pucker will appear this week to investigate New Southwales. < SPAN> "I think the only way for the crown to survive as a license holder is a full reform and to wipe out all the directors and all the senior managers," said Robinson.

What's been going on at Crown?

"Directors and senior managers were part of the business when criminal influence was exercised through money laundering. After acknowledging, passing the aptitude test, which is part of the law. I can't.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

"The true risk of the casino is money laundering, which is, of course, a flip of drug trading.

The real risk of the casino is money laundering.

Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2020 18:56:30 November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56 on November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56

How high are the stakes?

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October 5, 2020

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The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

You can add an article to the save list and come back at any time.

What are junkets and what's the problem?

Normal character size Large character size Very large character size

James Pucker will be on a testimony on Tuesday afternoon in a new South Wales survey on Crown Casino. When his father, Kelly, was taken to the Senate's investigative committee to receive interrogation on the media ownership, the US spokesman gained expectations.

At that time, Kelly preached the lessons of power to the Senator and said, "If there are any people in this country, I want them to wash their necks."

Why is money laundering an issue?

Journalists, politicians, and one of the leading corporate dynasties of Australia are answering questions about the actions of a major casino crown resorts, which was once run by a young Packer in a super yacht in the South Pacific Ocean. You can see it in digital images.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

James Pucker will appear this week to investigate New Southwales. "The only way for the crown to survive as a licensed holder is a full reform, and I think it's to wipe out all directors and all senior managers," said Robinson.

"Directors and senior managers were part of the business when criminal influence was exercised through money laundering. After acknowledging, passing the aptitude test, which is part of the law. I can't.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

"The true risk of the casino is money laundering, which is, of course, a flip of drug trading.

The real risk of the casino is money laundering.

Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2020 18:56:30 November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56 on November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56

Share option

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

keep

Login, subscribe to save articles.

You can add an article to the save list and come back at any time.

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What about the China arrests?

James Pucker will be on a testimony on Tuesday afternoon in a new South Wales survey on Crown Casino. When his father, Kelly, was taken to the Senate's investigative committee to receive interrogation on the ownership of the media, the US spokesman gained expectations.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

Journalists, politicians, and one of the leading corporate dynasties of Australia are anchored in a supe r-yacht in the South Pacific, who answered questions about the behavior of a major casino that was run by a young Packer. You can see it in digital images.

So why did the descendants of the wealthy clan in Australia have such an interrogation? What is this survey? And what is the crown casino?

James Pucker will appear this week to investigate New Southwales.

The crown in June last year, the Age paper, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the 60 Mnit paper reported a series of bomb reports, and the company is connected to the Asian organizational criminal organization called Triad. It has been in crisis since he was doing business, used for cleaning drug funds, and exposing employees in the danger of arrest in China.

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Didn't James Packer sell his shares?

The New South Wales State Independent Sake Gambling Bureau (ILGA) is in parallel with the controversial transaction of selling on e-fifth of the crown to another casino group, Melco Lizart, in May last year. In order to investigate these exposure, we have begun a survey with the same authority as the Royal Committee.

Since February, the Investigation Committee has been inviting experts, directors and officers while holding and holding public hearings.

While reading

The very high Patricia Bargin reports to ILGA whether Crown should maintain a new Vangaroo casino license in December.

So where does Packer sit in all this?

Sydoni-Citizens have noticed that in the past four years, the portraits of $ 2. 2 billion, luxury apartments, and casino towers are towering, and they are currently the highest in the city.

The worst scenario for the crown is to lose licenses, or the government imposes new conditions on the license, limiting the business methods, and asking the use of that huge building.

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Balanga Rubil in the crown near completion. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Crown's recent financial growth engine is an international "VIP" business built around China's super wealthy high rollers. These VIPs can get tens of millions of dollars by visiting the Casino of the AS X-listed group once in Melbourne and Perth.

"Junko" or "Junko Operator" is a group that plans to travel abroad to invite these high rollers to gambling. But they are doing more. In China, gambling and gambling advertisements are illegal, and it is illegal to bring out large amounts of cash outside the country. Therefore, the junket lends them to gamble them and collect debts after returning to Japan. < SPAN> Crown in June last year, the Age paper, Sydney Morning Herald, and the "60 Minet" paper reported on a series of bombs, and the company connected to an Asian organizational crime organization called Triad. He has been in a crisis since he did business with a person, was used for drug funding, and was exposed to the danger of arrest in China.

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The New South Wales State Independent Sake Gambling Bureau (ILGA) is in parallel with the controversial transaction of selling on e-fifth of the crown to another casino group, Melco Lizart, in May last year. In order to investigate these exposure, we have begun a survey with the same authority as the Royal Committee.

Since February, the Investigation Committee has been inviting experts, directors and officers while holding and holding public hearings.

While reading

Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2020 18:56:30 November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56 on November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56

Sydoni-Citizens have noticed that in the past four years, the portraits of $ 2. 2 billion, luxury apartments, and casino towers are towering, and they are currently the highest in the city.

The worst scenario for the crown is to lose licenses, or the government imposes new conditions on the license, limiting the business methods, and asking the use of that huge building.

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Has Crown owned up to its failures?

Balanga Rubil in the crown near completion. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Crown's recent financial growth engine is an international "VIP" business built around China's super wealthy high rollers. These VIPs can get tens of millions of dollars by visiting the Casino of the AS X-listed group once in Melbourne and Perth.

"Junko" or "Junko Operator" is a group that plans to travel abroad to invite these high rollers to gambling. But they are doing more. In China, gambling and gambling advertisements are illegal, and it is illegal to bring out large amounts of cash outside the country. Therefore, the junket lends them to gamble them and collect debts after returning to Japan. The crown in June last year, the Age paper, the Sydney Morning Herald, and the 60 Mnit paper reported a series of bomb reports, and the company is connected to the Asian organizational criminal organization called Triad. It has been in crisis since he was doing business, used for cleaning drug funds, and exposing employees in the danger of arrest in China.

What will be the ramifications?

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The New South Wales State Independent Sake Gambling Bureau (ILGA) is in parallel with the controversial transaction of selling on e-fifth of the crown to another casino group, Melco Lizart, in May last year. In order to investigate these exposure, we have begun a survey with the same authority as the Royal Committee.

Since February, the Investigation Committee has been inviting experts, directors and officers while holding and holding public hearings.

Posted: Sunday, November 29, 2020 18:56:30 November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56 on November 29, 2020 (Sun) 18:56

The very high Patricia Bargin reports to ILGA whether Crown should maintain a new Vangaroo casino license in December.

Sydoni-Citizens have noticed that in the past four years, the portraits of $ 2. 2 billion, luxury apartments, and casino towers are towering, and they are currently the highest in the city.

Let us explain

The worst scenario for the crown is to lose licenses, or the government imposes new conditions on the license, limiting the business methods, and asking the use of that huge building.

Christopher Niesche: Crown Sydney casino Packer's pecker in a high-stakes political pickle

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Balanga Rubil in the crown near completion. Credit: Wolter Peeters

Crown's recent financial growth engine is an international "VIP" business built around China's super wealthy high rollers. These VIPs can get tens of millions of dollars by visiting the Casino of the AS X-listed group once in Melbourne and Perth.

"Junko" or "Junko Operator" is a group that plans to travel abroad to invite these high rollers to gambling. But they are doing more. In China, gambling and gambling advertisements are illegal, and it is illegal to bring out large amounts of cash outside the country. Therefore, the junket lends them to gamble them and collect debts after returning to Japan.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

Criminals are attracted to casinos because they can disguise criminal revenue as legal income. The drug traffickers can replace the dirty cash with gambling chips and let the casino deposit the "prize money" into the bank account, which can make drug funds show a lucky night income at the Baccaratable.

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This was an extremely illegal act, and survey revealed how Crown could not stop it repeatedly.

Some of the most disadvantageous evidence is that Crown has established two paper companies, Southbank Investment and Riverbank Investments, to open a bank account for regular customers.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

Last year, the mast head revealed that the drug traffickers had used these accounts to wash dirty cash, and caught the eye of the law execution agencies. The survey revealed that some major banks have confirmed that a large amount of cash has been deposited in an account with the characteristics of money laundering, and have expressed concerns.

ANZ closed his account in 2014, but Crown only opened a new account at Commonwealth Bank. Last year, CBA detected the same suspicious movement and closed his account.

Discover more

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When this magazine first wrote an article about the Southbank and Riverbank accounts, the crown usually includes an obligation based on the "AML/CTF (ant i-money laundling and terrorist funding measures) law). Follow all of the obligations of reporting. "

Christopher Niesche: Is Govt aid enough to keep economies intact long term?

However, Crown's Ken Burton's CEO (CEO) has registered this paper company as "Reporting", even after Austrac has inquired with Crown. I agreed that this statement was "completely incorrect."

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The team also looked for evidence of money laundering in a private gaming room at Crown Melbourne operated by Suncity, one of Crown's most important junket partners.

Naomi Sharp, a lawyer who assisted the investigation, said the room operated as an "exempt island" from anti-money laundering controls and video footage showed large amounts of cash being handed over from a blue cooler bag.

Crown once found $5. 6 million in cash stored in a cupboard in the room, which "sounded alarm bells" for money laundering, the team told investigators.

Despite this, Crown continued to work with Suncity until early this year, when Australia's borders were closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It has not ruled out working with Suncity in the future.

In October 2016, Chinese police arrested 19 Crown staff and charged them with promoting illegal gambling in the country. Sixteen of them were jailed for nine to 10 months. The scandal sent Crown's share price plummeting, triggered a withdrawal from an Asian joint venture and sparked a shareholder class action lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars.

If Crown knowingly broke Chinese law, or was reckless or indifferent to the fact, the NSW government cannot be confident that it can keep Sydney's casinos clean.

The new evidence presented to the commission is damning. Senior members of the VIP team and one of Crown's directors (Packer's subordinate Michael Johnston) decided not to tell Crown's CEO and board that the Chinese government began cracking down on foreign casino operators in early 2015.

The era of regulating casinos on a stat e-b y-time basis is ending, and we believe that it is necessary to have a national casino management agency with severe investigation authority in cooperation with Austrac and AFP.

Emails sent to Crown executives said the company's staff lived in "constant fear" of arrest in China.

Jenny Zhang, a former Crown Resorts employee who was arrested in China in 2016. Credit: 60 Minutes Investigators also looked for evidence of money laundering in a private gaming room at Crown Melbourne run by Suncity, one of Crown's most important junket partners.

Attorney Naomi Sharp, who assisted the investigation, said the room was operated as an "exempt island" from anti-money laundering controls and video footage showed large amounts of cash being handed over from a blue cooler bag.

Crown once found $5. 6 million in cash stored in a cupboard in the room, which "sounded alarm bells" for money laundering, Crown told investigators.

Despite this, Crown continued to work with Suncity until earlier this year, when the COVID-19 outbreak closed Australia's borders. It has not ruled out working with Suncity in the future.

In October 2016, Chinese police arrested 19 Crown staff and charged them with promoting illegal gambling in the country. Sixteen of them received nine to ten months in prison. The scandal caused Crown's share price to plummet, triggered a withdrawal from an Asian joint venture, and sparked a shareholder class action lawsuit seeking hundreds of millions of dollars.

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