The Queensland administration has suggested tightening regulations on land-based gambling establishments, including raising the maximum penalty to fifty million Australian dollars (roughly twenty-eight million pounds, thirty-three million euros, or thirty-five million US dollars).
The state’s *Casino Control and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022* encompasses a variety of changes that the Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman, asserts will aid in preventing criminal intrusion and exploitation of casinos.
Fentiman stated that the proposed legislation was inspired by recent investigations into casinos in other states, with Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group both scrutinized for their operations.
“This bill will guarantee that Queenslanders have faith in the integrity of our casino laws,” Fentiman declared. “These adjustments are intended to address public concerns raised about Crown Resorts’ activities in New South Wales, Victoria, and Western Australia, and the ongoing inquiry into Star Entertainment Group.
“These reforms are deemed best practice casino regulation and will be implemented before the inauguration of the new casino at Queen’s Wharf, managed by Star Entertainment Group.”
This proposed legislation contains plans to assist the Queensland administration in fulfilling its pledge to create a secure, cash-free gambling atmosphere. This involves modernizing laws to permit the evaluation of fresh payment methods and systems within casinos.
The proposal also tackles charitable organizations and non-profit groups, introducing a mutual recognition scheme for fundraising approvals in Queensland.
Fentiman stated that the bill will also aim to enhance the state’s gambling harm reduction initiatives, enabling the government to contemplate “novel and inventive” approaches to aid in safeguarding players from gambling-related damage.
Charities listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and reported to the Office of Fair Trading can be deemed registered charities in Queensland and are therefore permitted to 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 will no longer be required to wait 28 days for the conclusion of the objection period before their application can be finalized.
“These modifications are part of the government’s ongoing efforts to minimize the regulatory burden on charities, and Queensland will continue to collaborate with other states and territories to further align fundraising regulations,” Fentiman remarked.
Fentiman indicated that additional adjustments to the law might be examined once the current inquiry into Star Entertainment Group concludes.
The New South Wales Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority is presently scrutinizing Star Entertainment Group. The examination of Star Entertainment Group commenced last June following claims that the operator knowingly collaborated with VIP rooms associated with criminal organizations and had insufficient anti-money laundering safeguards.
Allegations raised in the probe thus far include that senior managers at Star Sydney Casino intentionally deceived regulators, conducted illicit cash transactions in VIP rooms, and were aware that these transactions violated anti-money laundering regulations.
When accusations of anti-money laundering failures and connections to organized crime at the venue were initially raised, Star Entertainment Group countered that the accusations were “deceptive.”
Concurrently, Crown was deemed ineligible to operate a casino in Barangaroo, Sydney in February 2021, following an investigation that uncovered evidence of money laundering at its facilities.
Later that year, Crown was also deemed ineligible to operate a casino in Victoria, with the investigation discovering that Crown engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” behavior.
Similarly, Crown was found ineligible to operate its casino in Perth in February 2022.
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