NSW:Suspected criminals gamble at Star casino

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2011
NSW:Suspected criminals gamble at Star casino

SYDNEY, Dec 23 AAP - People of interest to the NSW Police Asian crime squad are among
the top gamblers at Sydney's Star casino, an investigation has found.

Gail Furness SC has been conducting an investigation into the casino and found "a number
of matters are of concern in relation to the operation of the casino", Fairfax reported
on Friday.

But the report, which was commissioned by the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority,
found that the "Star remains suitable to hold the casino licence" and that it was not
involved in any suspected criminal activity.

Ms Furness told The Sydney Morning Herald that she believed the Asian crime squad had
investigations "that drift to the casino in different respects".

"There is no suggestion that the casino operator is engaged in any of that activity,
however, there needs to be regular exchanges between police and the casino operator to
enable timely responses to illegal and undesirable activity in the casino," the report
states.

Ms Furness also said that many of the crime squad's targets are believed to be part
of the Star's top 100 gamblers.

"Unfortunately, records kept by the casino in respect to table games are inadequate,
unreliable, or of little or no evidentiary value with the exception of payout records
which, whilst accurate, generally only provide a reasonable excuse to criminals who have
laundered money."

The authority chairman, Chris Sidoti it would take necessary action it considers "appropriate".

AAP lcf/apm

KEYWORD: CASINO

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