SkyCity Entertainment Group, the company that owns and operates five land-based casinos in Australia and New Zealand, has received notice from the authorities in South Australia that its activities at SkyCity Adelaide will be thoroughly investigated in the near future.
The South Australia Gambling and Liquor regulator has announced it will be conducting an independent review of the casino’s activities in the coming months. This announcement comes after both Star Entertainment and Crown Resorts, the main competitors of SkyCity, have been on the receiving end of similar investigations.
The investigation into Star Sydney led to the resignation of Matt Bekier, the company’s Chief Executive Officer, while the multiple investigations into Crown Resorts eventually led to the company accepting a takeover bid from Blackstone Group.
The investigation into SkyCity Adelaide will be led by Brian Martin AO QC, a retired Supreme Court Judge. The purpose of the inquiry is to ensure that the company is operating its casino in a way that is congruent with the expectations of the authorities from those holding licenses to operate such establishments.
Dini Soulio, the Commissioner of Liquor and Gambling in South Australia, revealed that the authorities are concerned about matters that are “beyond any one organization and point instead to broader systemic issues within the casino industry.” Judge Martin is expected to submit his report on SkyCity to the Liquor and Gambling Commissioner before 1 February 2023.
