Sovereign Gaming has been deemed ineligible to manage the Sovereign Casino in Melbourne. Nevertheless, they’ve been tossed a safety net. While the Royal Inquiry concluded they were entirely inappropriate for a gaming permit under the existing Casino Regulation Act, Commissioner Ray Finkelstein refrained from complete closure. Instead, he’s advocating for a significant reformation of the Act and the appointment of a Special Supervisor to maintain strict oversight of Sovereign.
This Special Supervisor will be closely monitoring them for the subsequent two years as Sovereign attempts to rectify its behavior and demonstrate its ability to function lawfully. To be unambiguous, Finkelstein didn’t soften his words. His assessment explicitly declares that the Royal Inquiry found Sovereign unsuitable for a license due to “unlawful, deceptive, immoral, and predatory” actions. The extent of misconduct was so extensive and grave, he contended, that “no alternative determination was feasible.”
Sovereign’s record encompasses “substantial and ingrained violations” of Australian and international regulations, frequently with the full awareness of upper management.
The administration of Victoria has embraced the Royal Commission’s conclusions and pledged to implement additional measures concerning numerous suggestions, especially those deemed most urgent. The government is enacting stringent regulations and enhanced supervision of casino entities to avert the recurrence of such incidents.
Legislative alterations ratified in 2021, pertaining to Casino and Gaming statutes, signify the commencement of pivotal reforms intended to guarantee that casinos uphold the utmost standards of probity.
In a formal declaration, Crown Resorts conveyed that it is scrutinizing the report alongside the Victorian government’s response. The company affirmed its commitment to collaborating openly and productively with the Victorian government regarding the discoveries and proposals put forth.
