• About Us
  • The Team
  • Advertise with Us

The latest news on the gaming industry in Asia

() () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () () ()
  • Home
  • Macau
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Japan
  • Rest of Asia
  • World
  • Industry Talk
  • Trends & Tech
  • iGaming
  • follow
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • RSS Feed
    • LinkedIn

Macau regulator says monitoring Crown Resorts scenario

Jul 31, 2019 Newsdesk Latest News, Macau, Top of the deck, World  


Macau regulator says monitoring Crown Resorts scenario

Macau’s casino regulator, the Gaming Inspection and Coordination Bureau, also known as DICJ, has told GGRAsia that it is paying attention to the situation in Australia regarding that country’s casino company Crown Resorts Ltd.

Accounts carried in Australian media over the weekend alleged Crown Resorts’ Australian casino business had been a conduit for money laundering and Chinese organised crime activities via high-roller gambling.

One of Macau’s licensed casino operators, Melco Resorts and Entertainment Ltd, said in May it would pay US$1.2 billion to acquire a 19.99-percent stake in Crown Resorts, thereby becoming its second-biggest stockholder.

Australia’s attorney-general told the country’s parliament on Tuesday that he had referred the media allegations against Crown Resorts – including alleged fast-tracking of visas for a few wealthy overseas gamblers with assistance from the authorities – to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, which would determine whether a further probe were needed.

Macau’s gaming regulator told GGRAsia on Wednesday – in response to our enquiry about whether the Crown Resorts controversy had any impact on Melco Resorts’ suitability in the Macau market: “The DICJ continues to pay attention to the matter. If it’s related to Macau’s gaming industry, the bureau will follow up the matter under its competence.”

GGRAsia first approached Melco Resorts on Monday asking if it had any comment regarding the weekend media claims against Crown Resorts. Melco Resorts acknowledged the same day our enquiry. We had not received any response to our follow-up enquiry at the time this story went online.

The board of Crown Resorts on Wednesday rebutted the allegations carried in the reports published by The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald newspapers, along with the 60 Minutes television programme carried on Australia’s Nine Network, calling the reports a “deceitful campaign” against the company.

“As a board, we are extremely concerned for our staff, shareholders and other stakeholders, as much of this unbalanced and sensationalised reporting is based on unsubstantiated allegations, exaggerations, unsupported connections and outright falsehoods,” said the statement filed with the Australian Securities Exchange.

It added: “Crown operates in one of the most highly regulated industries in Australia and takes its responsibility to comply with its obligations very seriously.”

Crown Resorts – which has traditionally been strong in high-stakes play – runs a gaming resort in Melbourne, Victoria; one in Perth, Western Australia; and is developing a third at Barangaroo in Sydney, New South Wales.

The casino firm’s board also stated that the junkets that it works with “are independent operators who arrange for their customers to visit many casinos globally”.

“Crown itself has a robust process for vetting junket operators, including a combination of probity, integrity and police checks, and Crown undertakes regular reviews of these operators in the light of new or additional information,” it said in Wednesday’s statement.

(Updated at 9.20am, Aug 1)


  • tweet
Related articles
  • Macau November GGR down 18pct on October: govt
    Macau November GGR down 18pct on...

    Dec 01, 2023  

  • Melco focus debt cutting, caution on spending: analysts
    Melco focus debt cutting, caution on...

    Nov 21, 2023  

More news
  • Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector
    Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau...

    Dec 01, 2023  

  • Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports
    Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol...

    Dec 01, 2023  


Latest News

Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector

Welcome mat, pricey hotels drag Macau MICE: sector

Dec 01, 2023  

Fresh event space in casino resorts is welcomed by Macau’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, but visitors’ reception on arrival in the city, high hotel prices, and...
Read More
Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports

Kangwon Land Inc CEO Lee Sam-Geol resigns: reports

Dec 01, 2023  

Paradise Co Nov casino rev top US$43mln, down sequentially

Paradise Co Nov casino rev top US$43mln, down sequentially

Dec 01, 2023  

Sign up to our FREE Newsletter

UB8V5.qr.16(Click here for more)

Pick of the Day

”We committed to the government to provide a full business idea and plan for Phase 1b around 12 months after the casino opens, therefore, probably early 2025”

Chen Si

President of the Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea



Most Popular

  • Macau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSAMacau op premium play reinvestment 17pct of GGR: CLSA November 30, 2023
  • Inspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort bizInspire Arena leads Mohegan debut in Asia gaming resort biz November 30, 2023
  • Macau November GGR down 18pct on October: govtMacau November GGR down 18pct on October: govt December 1, 2023
  • Mohegan Inspire still eyes 1Q24 casino debut: presidentMohegan Inspire still eyes 1Q24 casino debut: president December 1, 2023
  • Miriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports teamMiriam Adelson selling US$2bln LVS stock to buy sports team November 29, 2023
Copyright 2014-2023 TEAM Publishing and Consultancy Ltd / All rights reserved
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Useful Links
  • Contact Us