The head of the NSW gambling regulator has today declared unequivocally that Crown Resorts CEO, Ken Barton, and independent director, Andrew Demetriou, must step down from their roles after a damning report into the company’s suitability to operate its Sydney Casino.
Two representatives of major shareholder, James Packer, resigned from Crown’s board on Wednesday, after the independent report highlighted the billionaire’s harmful influence over the group as a key reason it was unfit to hold the licence to its casino at Barangaroo.
But despite James Packer heeding the criticism of the report directed at him, Mr Barton and Mr Demetriou have so far refused to resign, according to a report in The Australian.
In response, NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) chair, Philip Crawford, was speaking on ABC Radio National this morning and when asked whether Mr Demetriou and Mr Barton should resign, he answered: “Yes… yes.”
“There need to be changes in the top and in senior management,” Mr Crawford said. “A lot of board changes, and that’s started already and we look forward to seeing a bit more of that.”
Commissioner Bergin’s report into Crown Resorts – released on Tuesday following an explosive 18-month public inquiry – found that Crown had facilitated money laundering at its Melbourne and Perth casinos, partnered with figures linked to organised crime, and disregarded the safety of staff in China before 19 were arrested there in 2016.
READ MORE: Crown Resorts director, Andrew Demetriou, denies dishonesty at casino inquiry.
