She also criticised his threatening behaviour toward an investor, which he agreed was “shameful.” But she also noted his mental health issues, which he talked about in evidence. But Crown will need to have strict controls to prevent Packer being able to exercise “remote management” probably as part of the enforceable undertakings.īergin stopped short of finding Packer unsuitable as a casino associate but was highly critical of his actions in ignoring or forgetting to notify authorities of the 2019 deal with Melco, which raised regulatory questions. Photograph: Tyrone Siu/Reuters Does Packer have to sell his 36% stake? Patricia Bergin stopped short of finding James Packer unsuitable as a casino associate but was highly critical of his actions. She also suggested enforceable undertakings which might include timetables for Crown to improve money-laundering controls and better train staff. That means Crown will probably need to make wholesale changes to the board in the next few months. This means it may need to be a negotiated settlement, with ILGA holding the big stick of revocation over Crown.Ĭrown issued a statement on late Tuesday saying it would work with ILGA in relation to the findings and recommendations noting it would do so “as contemplated in the regulatory agreements between Crown, ILGA and the NSW government”.īergin has made some definite suggestions – she thinks the CEO, Ken Barton, and some of the board, should go in order to make Crown suitable. However the regulator retained the power to revoke the licence if Crown was unsuitable. One of the big problems for the NSW regulator is that the NSW government has agreed in various deeds to punitive compensation up to 10 times the value of the economic damage done, if it changes laws or imposes obligations on Crown. It has not made any formal decision at this point.įollowing the release of the report, ILGA has indicated that it will consider it further at a special meeting on 12 February and then again at its regular board meeting on 17 February.

ILGA was briefed on her findings last Monday.

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