Crown Perth keeps casino licence after three-year reform period

Crown Perth will retain its casino licence without penalty or conditions after a three-year remediation process, the Western Australia government confirmed, marking a major step in the company’s recovery following damning findings from a 2022 Royal Commission.

WA Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia announced the decision on Tuesday, saying Crown Perth is now a “suitable entity for operating a casino” under advice from the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) and based on a final report by independent monitor Paul Steel.

The 2022 Royal Commission had found Crown Perth facilitated money laundering, allowed criminal junkets, and failed to address gambling-related harm, but stopped short of recommending licence cancellation. Instead, it placed the casino under independent monitoring.

The final decision clears the way for Crown Perth, the state’s only casino, to continue operating without restriction. The announcement follows similar findings of suitability for Crown’s other flagship properties in Melbourne and Sydney earlier this year.

“Three years ago, the State Government established the Perth Casino Royal Commission due to failures by Crown Perth to meet anti-money laundering/counter-terrorism financing obligations and prevent criminal activity,” Papalia said.
“Today, I can confirm we won’t be taking punitive action against Crown Perth.”

Despite having the authority to impose fines of up to AU$100 million ($65.27 million) or revoke the licence entirely, the government chose not to enforce any penalties. Papalia said the company had already undertaken significant changes.

“To say that there hasn't been any impact on them is not correct,” he added. “They have comprehensively changed their practices; they've had to implement new procedures, buy new equipment, and apply new methods to ensure that they are complying with the recommendations.”

Crown Resorts said it had invested AU$200 million ($131 million) in reforms across governance, compliance, and harm minimisation efforts.

“Our extensive business-wide transformation has set new benchmarks for the industry,” said Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai. “With all three Crown properties now deemed suitable and retaining their casino licences, we are focused on remaining the safest place to gamble in Australia.”

The GWC, which was also criticised in the Royal Commission for regulatory deficiencies, has increased staffing and oversight capabilities. Former monitor Paul Steel will join the GWC to ensure continued compliance.      

Crown Perth Chair John Van Der Wielen credited private equity firm Blackstone, which acquired Crown for AU$8.9 billion in 2022, for leading the transformation.

“They took on Crown knowing the issue, and we knew how much it would take to fix, and I think we're there,” he said. “I'm very confident now with the new independent board, completely new management team and being owned by the world's largest investor … we have the right moral compass in place.”