SkyCity Adelaide

In reply to the Hon. C. BONAROS (12 October 2021).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): The Attorney-General has advised:

1. The operations of SkyCity Adelaide Casino are scrutinised by multiple state and federal regulatory agencies.

The Liquor and Gambling Commissioner (the commissioner) and officers from Consumer and Business Services are having regular ongoing meetings with AUSTRAC to discuss the operations of SkyCity Adelaide Casino and their investigation.

AUSTRAC is Australia’s financial intelligence unit and anti money laundering and counterterrorism financing regulator. AUSTRAC’s work builds resilience in the financial system against misuse by criminals. AUSTRAC collects and analyses information from regulated entities to create actionable intelligence and insights to support law enforcement and intelligence partners to assist them to detect, prevent and disrupt money laundering, terrorism financing and other serious crime.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment further in relation to meetings with AUSTRAC. However, I can confirm that where any potential issues of concern are identified by the commissioner or his staff through their supervision of SkyCity Adelaide Casino, appropriate action is taken including referring the matters to regulatory and law enforcement agencies with the relevant expertise and resourcing.

2. Further to the answer that I provided to the honourable member’s question on 25 May 2021, I can advise that in addition to the daily monitoring of Casino operations by Consumer and Business Services’ inspectors, Consumer and Business Services amongst other things, also:

undertakes targeted investigation of premium player gaming activity and Casino loyalty reward schemes;

undertakes analysis of facial recognition and host responsibility interaction data;

requires all persons who are able to exercise discretion, influence or control over the business operations under the Casino licence or who carry out certain prescribed duties to substantiate their suitability to be involved in the ownership, management or operation of the Casino; and

has carriage of regulatory approvals and review mechanisms in relation to the operation of the Casino.

Certain transactions under which persons may acquire control or influence over the Casino licensee and dealings affecting the Casino business must also be approved by the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner.

Furthermore, SA Police maintains probity records of persons who are designated persons under the Casino licence or who undertake prescribed duties at SkyCity Adelaide Casino and is required to make information available to the commissioner if there is cause for a person to be prohibited from such positions.

Additionally, monthly gaming revenue taxation receipts are remitted to the Treasurer and are subject to audit and reconciliation by RevenueSA.

The Casino licensee is also required by legislation to keep proper financial accounts and must have such accounts periodically audited by a registered company auditor. It is a mandatory requirement for the auditor of accounts to notify the commissioner of any suspected irregularity in the accounts or licensee’s financial affairs.

3. There is nothing further to add to the answer that I provided to the honourable member’s question on 22 September 2021.