Throughout the latest Perth Covid-19 shutdown, Crown Casino maintained its VIP gaming sections operational as normal.
Brian Lee, Crown Resorts’ Head of Security and Surveillance, informed the inquiry that the high-stakes gaming areas stayed open during the late June, early July lockdown because doing so “did not violate any government mandates.”
Lee stated: “My interpretation of the most recent shutdown was (that) a location was limited to 150 customers, which I had verified with officials. Any zone within the establishment that could function with up to 150 guests, excluding the primary gaming floor, was permitted to operate. Therefore, the Pearl Room, in my opinion, could remain open, as could our bars and restaurants, adhering to the 150-patron cap.”
However, before the shutdown, a representative indicated Crown would be shutting down in accordance with state government regulations: “Crown Perth has halted all gaming operations as of 12pm (AWST) on June 27, 2021.”
Lee also discussed Crown’s approach to managing grievances and inquiries concerning loan sharking: “Individuals we classify as loan sharks – as it has been confirmed – are barred.”
He continued, saying that any violators are prohibited for a minimum of two years before they can formally request reinstatement; Lee characterized loan sharking as unacceptable.
Upon inquiry regarding the continued admittance of a client facing numerous allegations of predatory lending, Mr. Li stated that while the matters were reviewed, “The pivotal evaluation standards are the legitimacy of these grievances and the presence of additional contributing elements.”