On this page:
The Commission
On 22 February 2021, Her Excellency, the Hon. Linda Dessau AC, signed letters patent appointing the Hon. Ray Finkelstein AO QC as Commissioner and Chairperson of the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence.
The Commissioner delivered his report to the Governor of Victoria on 15 October 2021.
The Counsel Assisting team appointed to the Commission were Adrian Finanzio SC, Penny Neskovcin QC, Meg O’Sullivan and Geoffrey Kozminsky.
Solicitors Assisting the Commission were Corrs Chambers Westgarth.
Terms of Reference
The Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence is required to inquire into, report and make any recommendations in relation to its terms of reference including:
A. Whether Crown Melbourne is a suitable person to continue to hold the casino licence under the Casino Control Act 1991.
B. Whether Crown Melbourne is complying with the Casino Control Act, the Casino (Management Agreement) Act 1993, the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (together with any regulations or other instruments made under any of those Acts), and any other applicable laws.
C. Whether Crown Melbourne is complying with the Crown Melbourne Contracts.
D. Whether it is in the public interest for Crown Melbourne to continue to hold the casino licence in Victoria.
E. If you consider that Crown Melbourne is not a suitable person, or that it is not in the public interest for Crown Melbourne to hold the casino licence in Victoria, what action (if any) would be required for Crown Melbourne to become a suitable person, or for it to be in the public interest for Crown Melbourne to continue to hold the casino licence in Victoria.
F. Whether Crown Resorts is a Suitable Associate of Crown Melbourne.
G. If you consider that Crown Resorts is not a Suitable Associate of Crown Melbourne, what action (if any) would be required for Crown Resorts to become a Suitable Associate of Crown Melbourne.
H. Whether any other existing associates of Crown Melbourne are not Suitable Associates of Crown Melbourne.
I. If you consider that any other existing associates of Crown Melbourne are not Suitable Associates of Crown Melbourne, what action (if any) would be required for those persons to become Suitable Associates of Crown Melbourne.
J. Whether you consider changes to relevant Victorian legislation, including the Casino Control Act and the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation Act 2011, as well as the Crown Melbourne Contracts, are necessary for the State to address your findings and implement your recommendations.
K .Whether there are any other matters necessary to satisfactorily resolve the matters set out in paragraphs A to J, above.
Letters patent
Reviewed 14 October 2021