Western Australia starts Skycity investigation

The South Australian Liquor and Gambling Commissioner opened submissions for independent parties that can apply to investigate SkyCity Entertainment group who has 4 land based casinos and 1 online casino with a wide variety of online pokies. The 4 land based casinos are located in Auckland, Adelaide, Hamilton and Queenstown.

The Liquor and Gambling Commission said earlier this month that it would launch a review into all land-based casino operators. The same is happening to casino operators in Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales after the Crown Resort was deemed unsuitable to carry out operations in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia after it was found that the company was not following the rules related to responsible gaming.

Star Entertainment is also under review by the governments of Queensland and New South Wales. The OLGC said that the number of matters raised during reviews of other casinos were “extend beyond any one organisation”. This raised questions whether these issues are systemic problems within the casino industry.

Therefore, the industry and stakeholders will have to undergo reviews to get an insight in the systemic issues within the casino industry. Ex-supreme court Judge Brian Martin has been tasked with leading this SkyCity review. This review has the purpose to find out whether SkyCity it still suitable to hold a casino license in South Australia.

“Mr Martin is a highly respected member of the legal profession,” An OLGC commissioner said. “He has conducted reviews of key criminal justice policies in South Australia including reforms to the handling of major indictable offences and the state’s sentencing discount scheme. “I have every confidence he will deliver a report to help us ensure that South Australians can have confidence in the way that the Adelaide Casino is operating.”