The Special Manager appointed to independently monitor and assess the reform program being implemented by Australia’s Crown Resorts has released his first Activity Report, providing an update on his work and observations during his first six months in the role.
Stephen O’Bryan QC was appointed Special Manager and provided with extensive legislative powers to monitor Crown following last year’s Finkelstein Royal Commission, which found Crown unsuitable to retain its casino license for Crown Melbourne. However, the company was granted a two-year window to return to suitability under O’Bryan’s watch.
In the first of four reports to be submitted through the end of 2023, O’Bryan outlined his key areas of focus during the six months from January to June 2022, in which he established a small, multi-disciplinary team to support his work.
The report shows that the team has regularly met with Crown’s senior leadership team and has built a sound understanding of the reform work Crown is undertaking in response to the Finkelstein Royal Commission.
It has also engaged with key stakeholders across government, industry and community sectors, particularly in relation to gambling harm minimization and preventing financial crime.
The report is largely positive for Crown, with O’Bryan acknowledging that “Crown is undertaking a complex and significant reform program and it has already taken a range of positive steps.”
It also nods the recent acquisition of Crown by The Blackstone Group, with a change in ownership having been mentioned by the Finkelstein Royal Commission as a necessary step to support Crown’s transformation to suitability. Crown on Thursday announced another rung on the ladder to that transformation with Wynn Macau Ltd COO Ciarán Carruthers to assume the role of Crown Resorts CEO from 4Q22.
In releasing O’Bryan’s first Activity Report, the Victorian state government said the second reporting period for the six months to 31 December 2022 would see the Special Manager “continue to monitor and assess Crown’s current operations and the progress of its reform work. This will include a focus on ensuring Crown demonstrates its reforms are integrated, appropriately governed and resourced, and prioritise initiatives that will have the greatest impact on improving outcomes for people – customers, employees and the community. The Special Manager will also continue to keep careful watch on the integrity of Crown’s conduct, including its compliance with legal, regulatory and other obligations.”
The government said O’Bryan has also provided a more detailed Interim Report to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). O’Bryan will submit a final report to the VGCCC in early 2024 to assist the regulator in determining whether Crown has returned to suitability to hold the Melbourne casino licence.
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