Money laundering, exclusion processes at centre of Queensland casino probe

A long-running Queensland investigation into Star Entertainment is focusing on allegations of money laundering and the requirement that casinos exclude certain people, regulators have told a parliamentary committee.

During a committee hearing into the Palaszczuk government’s bid to strengthen regulatory oversight of casinos, the responsible bureaucrat shed new light on the focus of the Queensland investigation.

David McKarzel, head of the Office of Regulatory Policy, Liquor, Gaming and Fair Trading, initially made reference to investigations interstate, saying the government was seeking to take “proactive action” to prevent similar problems in Queensland. He also mentioned the potential for casino companies to obstruct investigations.

McKarzel said the Queensland Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation, as well as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, continued to investigate Star. That probe began at least eight months ago.

The Queensland investigation, combined with the lessons interstate, showed “stronger regulation is needed”, he said.

Under questioning from the committee, McKarzel confirmed the Queensland probe was prompted by revelations on 60 Minutes, which is owned by Nine, publisher of Brisbane Times.

He said the investigation related to “allegations regarding matters to do with whether [anti-] money laundering systems were appropriate, [and] whether or not the exclusion process [for banned people] was also working appropriately”.

“There are ongoing investigations into that, but they are not concluded,” McKarzel said.

A public hearing into the bill will be held next month.