Billionaire businessman James Packer has launched a scathing critique of former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and the regulatory environment surrounding the Australian casino industry. In an extensive interview with his friend Joe Aston, published on the media platform Rampart, Packer expressed his dissatisfaction with how gambling regulators have impacted the local casino sector, claiming they are effectively driving it towards bankruptcy.
Packer specifically targeted Andrews, accusing him of implementing a substantial tax in 2022 that significantly affected Crown Resorts. He described the former premier as “human filth” and expressed hope that Andrews would take legal action against him over those remarks. Packer stated, “I couldn’t think more lowly of Daniel Andrews,” indicating the depth of his disdain.
The additional tax burden, according to Packer, may have jeopardized the $8.9 billion sale of Crown to Blackstone, which ultimately went through and provided Packer with a profitable exit from the casino business. He revealed that he holds Andrews responsible for much of the turmoil in his life, saying, “Daniel Andrews not only ruined Victoria. He almost ruined my life.”
Regulatory Criticism and Casino Impact
Packer’s frustrations extend beyond Andrews; he also criticized the regulators responsible for overseeing Australian casinos. He expressed disbelief that Philip Crawford, chief regulator of the NSW Independent Casino Commission, remains in his position. This criticism stems from a series of inquiries, initiated by investigations from The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald, which found both Crown and rival Star Entertainment guilty of serious lapses in compliance, including failures related to money laundering and connections to organized crime.
Despite the regulatory scrutiny faced by both companies, Packer contends that Star’s actions were far more egregious than those of Crown. He remarked, “Star was behaving far worse than Crown ever behaved,” noting that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission did not pursue charges against Crown’s board, implying a disparity in regulatory enforcement.
Both Crown and Star have suffered significant consequences as a result of these findings, including the revocation of their casino licenses and increased regulatory restrictions that have hindered their profitability. Crown was deemed unfit to operate its Melbourne casino following a royal commission led by former federal judge Ray Finkelstein, which highlighted numerous legal and ethical breaches.
Concerns for the Future of Casinos
Packer expressed alarm over the current state of the casino industry in Australia, arguing that regulatory actions appear designed to undermine casino operations while allowing pubs and clubs to thrive. He stated, “It’s outrageous what’s happening to the casinos in Australia,” emphasizing that casinos have paid “hundreds of millions of dollars” in licensing fees and taxes.
He criticized the shifting landscape where cash transactions are increasingly prohibited in casinos, while remaining permissible in pubs and clubs, creating an uneven playing field. “Now you have a situation where cash can’t be used in the casinos, and cash is used in the pubs and the clubs,” he lamented.
Despite the challenges posed by the regulatory environment, Packer noted that he has found personal stability after years of grappling with mental health and substance abuse issues. He indicated that he is in a positive state of mind and is preparing to celebrate Christmas in Australia with family, attributing his progress to the support of mental health professionals. “I’ve got a good psychologist, a good psychiatrist, and I’m working with them. And I think I’m … one of the luckiest people in the world,” he shared in the interview.
The ongoing debate surrounding the regulation of casinos in Australia continues to unfold, with stakeholders voicing concerns about the future viability of the industry amid strict oversight and evolving financial pressures.
