Disclosures from the Perth Casino Royal Commission inquiry indicated that Western Australia’s gaming authority may have placed the economic well-being of Crown Perth above the welfare of the community. This was achieved by endorsing a plea to accelerate the rotation speed of their slot machines, notwithstanding apprehensions that this could amplify their addictive properties.
Duncan Ord, the former head of the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC), provided evidence that Crown was encountering fiscal strains in 2019 and had cautioned about possible employment reductions if their petition was not conceded. Although the GWC is legally bound to curtail gambling detriment, Ord acknowledged they did not engage any specialists regarding the potential consequences of these swifter machines.
In essence, Crown desired their electronic gaming machines to function more akin to conventional slot machines, which are prohibited in Western Australia due to their highly habit-forming character. Legal counsel aiding the commission, Patricia Cahill, contended that this was purely intended to augment Crown’s earnings. When probed, Ord conceded that the GWC’s determination appeared to prioritize Crown’s monetary interests over their obligation to safeguard the public.
Mr. ODea highlighted the unclear distinction between slot and poker machines, particularly following Crown Perth’s petition to the gaming board to accelerate the rotation rate of their slot machines. This proposal sparked worries, as heightened speeds could possibly escalate the prevalence of gambling dependence.
Despite some raised eyebrows regarding the relationship between Crown Perth officials and the former casino head, Michael Connolly, Mr. ODea remained resolute in his backing of Connolly’s honesty. He conveyed his conviction that Connolly was a man of strong ethics, able to differentiate between personal and professional responsibilities. He stressed that Connolly treated his obligations with utmost seriousness, consistently prioritizing his position as a casino director.
Soon after delivering his statement, Mr. ODea declared his withdrawal from public service, prompting some to conjecture about the coincidence and its link to the Crown Perth inquiry.