The compulsory five-yearly investigations of the casino licences and operations of The Star Casino in Sydney, Australia, and the Crown Sydney may be abolished as a result of a review ordered by the New South Wales government.
The review was ordered following the decision to grant Crown Resorts a Sydney casino licence at Barangaroo, an inner city suburb in Sydney, from 2019 because it would ensure “regulatory neutrality” with The Star.
The five-yearly investigations are undertaken by the independent gambling regulator using a senior lawyer and are designed to ensure the owner of the casino is a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The report of the reviewer last year expressed the view that the investigations were of little value.
The government has stated that after one more review of The Star and an initial one of Crown Sydney it would consider abolishing the reviews. The Star has also been granted permission to provide credit to international premium players.
