Crown Perth Regains Casino License After Rigorous Review
Introduction to Crown Perth’s License Approval
Crown Perth has successfully regained its casino license, marking a notable milestone for its parent company, Crown Resorts. This development reflects the fulfillment of regulatory requirements after previous issues raised concerns about the suitability of the operator.
Preservation of License Without Additional Penalties
Similar to its competitor, The Star Entertainment Group, Crown Resorts has faced various regulatory challenges. In 2022, authorities determined that Crown Perth was not fit to hold a casino license due to several compliance violations. Since then, the company has addressed these problems effectively, culminating in a recent regulatory decision favoring Crown Perth.
Following detailed evaluations by both the Independent Monitor and the Gaming and Wagering Commission of Western Australia (GWC), Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia declared Crown Perth a suitable license holder. This decision means no further penalties will be imposed.
The judgement highlights Crown’s extensive remediation efforts, including significant changes to leadership and operational policies. The Western Australian government specifically applauded improvements made in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) protocols, which were critical to the decision to reinstate the license.
The Crown Perth operations have undergone comprehensive reforms involving updated corporate governance, strengthened employee screening and training to encourage ethical conduct, and increased focus on minimizing gambling-related harm.
Western Australian Government
Former Independent Monitor Paul Steel has been appointed to the Gaming and Wagering Commission and will continue overseeing Crown Perth starting August 1, 2025.
Minister Papalia Commends Crown Perth’s Progress
Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia expressed his satisfaction with the progress Crown Perth has achieved since initially being deemed unfit for a license.
“We will not be pursuing punitive actions against Crown Perth as it is now assessed to be a suitable entity to hold a gaming license under the Casino Control Act 1984,” said Minister Papalia.
Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia
The Minister also noted that the GWC will maintain oversight to ensure that Crown Perth’s reforms remain effective over time.
Gary Dreibergs, chair of the GWC, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to monitoring Crown Perth’s operations to ensure compliance with legal requirements and responsible management aligned with public interest.
“While suitability has been achieved, ongoing cultural transformation and a long-lasting commitment to improvements are vital. We will persist in supervising Crown Perth’s initiatives to reduce gambling harm and sustain public confidence,” stated Dreibergs.
Gary Dreibergs, Chair of the Gaming and Wagering Commission
Dreibergs emphasized the importance of continuous progress, noting that the public depends on Crown Perth to uphold these standards moving forward.