The Queensland administration has suggested tightening the state’s land-based gambling regulations, including raising the maximum penalty to $50 million Australian dollars (£28 million/€33 million/$35 million).
Fentiman stated that the proposed legislative alterations were a reaction to recent investigations into gambling establishments in other regions, with Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group both being scrutinized for their operations.
“This legislation will ensure Queenslanders have faith in the integrity of our casino laws,” Fentiman said. “These changes are intended to address public worries arising from the inquiries into Crown Resorts’ activities in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia, and the inquiry into Star Entertainment Group.
The Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 encompasses a variety of reforms that Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman said would assist in preventing criminal intrusion and exploitation of casinos.
“These reforms are considered best practice casino regulation and will be implemented before the opening of the new gambling establishment at Queen’s Wharf, which is operated by Star Entertainment Group.”
This legislation includes further proposals to assist in attaining the Queensland government’s dedication to shifting towards secure, cashless gaming. The law will be revised to permit the evaluation of fresh payment methods and systems within casinos.
The legislation will also aim to enhance the state’s gambling harm minimization strategies. Fentiman stated that the bill would enable the government to contemplate “novel and inventive” approaches to aid in safeguarding players from gambling-related harm.
Moreover, the bill addresses charitable and non-profit organizations, introducing a mutual recognition program for fundraising approvals in Queensland.
Charities registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and notified to the Office of Fair Trading can be deemed registered charities in Queensland and thus can raise funds within the state.
Charities not registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission can still apply directly to the Office of Fair Trading for registration, but they will no longer be required to wait for a 28-day objection period to conclude before their application is finalized.
“These modifications are part of the government’s ongoing endeavors to lessen the regulatory burden on charities,” Fentiman remarked. “Queensland will continue to collaborate with other states and territories to further align fundraising regulations.”
Fentiman indicated that additional legal modifications could be contemplated once the current investigation into Star Entertainment Group concludes.
Star Entertainment Group is presently being scrutinized by the New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority. The operator has been accused of knowingly collaborating with VIP rooms associated with criminal organizations and lacking adequate anti-money laundering safeguards. The assessment of Star Entertainment Group commenced last June.
Claims presented at the hearings thus far encompass senior executives at Star Sydney intentionally deceiving regulators, illicit cash transactions in VIP rooms, and awareness that these transactions contravened anti-money laundering regulations.
Star Entertainment Group, upon initial confrontation with accusations of anti-money laundering shortcomings and connections to organized crime at its establishments, countered that the allegations were “misleading.”
Concurrently, in February 2021, Crown was deemed unfit to operate a casino in Barangaroo, Sydney, following an inquiry that uncovered evidence of money laundering at its premises.
Subsequently that year, Crown was also deemed ineligible to operate casinos in Victoria, with an inquiry ruling that Crown had engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” behavior.
Likewise, in February 2022, Crown was deemed unsuitable to operate its casino in Perth.
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