New casino regulator sets its sights on Star response

NSW Independent Casino Commission

The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has officially begun a new regulatory regime to oversee the state’s two Sydney-based casinos.

The NICC inherits the task of responding to Adam Bell’s findings into criminal activity at The Star and the ongoing work of assessing Crown Sydney’s suitability for a permanent casino licence.

NICC Chief Commissioner, Philip Crawford, said he and the NICC’s four commissioners are examining the Bell report which will soon be made publicly available.

“We were handed a very large document last week and we need to consider its contents in light of the new, retrospective, casino laws,” Mr Crawford said.

“The NICC was created with extensive regulatory powers, independent of government, and we will be considering the findings and recommendations in the context of how those powers apply.

“Through its historical casino reforms, the NSW Government has set its expectations around casino compliance and the NICC is equipped to meet them.

“In addition to a board of five commissioners, the NICC has 10 staff dedicated solely to casino related matters and more than 100 staff in the Hospitality and Racing division available to be deployed to casino compliance activities.

“There is simply no appetite

/Public Release.