The South Australian Liquor and Gambling Commissioner has appointed Kroll Australia Pty Limited an independent expert to review and potentially modify programs being put in place by SkyCity Adelaide to enhance its anti-money laundering controls.
Under details announced by SkyCity Entertainment Group on Friday morning, Kroll will be tasked with reviewing SkyCity Adelaide’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) and host responsibility enhancement programs, and making amendments to them if required,
It will also monitor the implementation of the enhancement programs by SkyCity Adelaide and SkyCity Adelaide’s compliance with its AML/CTF and gambling harm minimization obligations, reporting its findings back to the Commissioner.
An independent review into SkyCity Adelaide was ordered in July 2022 following inquiries in other states into Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group – all of which uncovered serious instances of AML and responsible gambling compliance failures. Australia’s AML watchdog AUSTRAC also revealed in June 2021 that it was investigating all three operators – Crown, Star and SkyCity – for potentially serious breaches of Anti-Money Laundering laws before subsequently launching civil penalty proceedings against all three, including SkyCity in December 2022.
However, the review was officially put on hold in February 2023 pending the outcome of the AUSTRAC investigation – the findings of which have not yet been finalized.
SkyCity said the Commissioner has now advised that the appointment of an independent expert will provide an “independent perspective of SkyCity Adelaide’s AML/CTF and host responsibility enhancement programs and an additional layer of assurance.”
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