Casino ethics were allowed to deteriorate

Casino ethics were allowed to deteriorate, review told
Geesche Jacobsen

THE Sydney casino has been ''sliding back to the old ways'', putting revenues before behaviour, a former manager told the recent review of The Star's licence.

High-value players who had sexually harassed or threatened staff were allegedly given favourable treatment, former and existing staff told the barrister conducting the review published three days before Christmas.

The report found the casino's new owners and managers had deliberately brought about ''a change in focus and approach'' and urged it to encourage ''a culture in which compliance with obligations is valued''.


By law the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority conducts regular reviews of the casino's compliance with licence conditions.

While last year's review, by Gail Furness, SC, recommended the casino's licence be renewed, it raised concerns, including problems with suspected or actual criminal activity, such as loan sharking, prostitution and money laundering.

Casino inspectors also told of cultural change, saying previous management had dealt more severely with undesirable activity.

One case, which raised concerns of a valuable gambler being given special treatment, involved a white powder found in a bathroom in the private gaming area. Surveillance footage showed the man, who had spent about $20,000 gambling in one evening, had been the only patron in the bathroom before the powder was found. It was unclear if any staff had also entered the bathroom.

The white substance - gathered in a long, thin line, as if scraped together with a card - was found on a glass shelf one Saturday in October 2010.

Handling of the incident was poor and did not comply with protocols, the report found.

Police were not called, the substance was not photographed where and as it was found, it was not put in a tamper-proof bag and surveillance footage was not fully reviewed or retained and staff had not adequately reported the incident.

Some staff said the substance appeared to be illegal but when it was tested for cocaine more than a week later it tested negative.

Ms Furness said all allegations from staff had been investigated but either no record of the incidents could be found or the allegations were not supported. The report said the writers of several anonymous letters and emails were ''disgruntled''.

The review found fewer incident reports were being written and one manager said staff were being discouraged from making reports. Some pit managers had also allegedly been advising patrons to place bets on multiple tables to save them the work of reporting a large cash transaction under money-laundering rules.

A staff survey found a reduction in the compliance culture, and fewer people saying they were willing to speak up, complain or act in accordance with compliance values. Police also raised concerns about ''inadequate and unreliable'' records and reports being made about loan sharking and money laundering when it is too late to act.

The next review is not due until December 2016.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/casino-ethics-were-allowed-to-deteriorate-review-told-20120203-1qxmk.html#ixzz1lRIXhi5b