DraftKings 

DraftKings has expanded its executive team with the appointment of Brian Angiolet in the newly created position of chief media officer, a role that will see him direct and optimise content creation and media strategy, effective April 26.

Most recently, Angiolet served as SVP and chief business officer at Verizon Communications, where he spearheaded a number of high-profile, multi-billion-dollar content and advertising initiatives.

Jason Robins, DraftKings’ co-founder, CEO and chairman of the board, said: “Brian brings invaluable experience to this new chief media officer position and deeply understands how the virtuous circle among sports, gaming, and content has the potential to boost engagement.

“As our media presence grows with the acquisition of VSiN, among other strategic moves, Brian’s creative ideas and insightful perspectives will further propel the possibilities of DraftKings content. Our warmest welcome to Brian, and we’re thrilled to have him aboard.”

Crown Resorts

Bruce Carter, the former deputy chair of SkyCity Entertainment Group, has been appointed as a non-executive director of Crown Resorts, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals.

In his former SkyCity role, Carter, who is currently chair of the Australian Submarine Corporation and Aventus Capital, oversaw the expansion development at SkyCity Adelaide.

Carter says that his is “excited” to be joining the company during its current transformative period, as well as hoping to drive “important changes” amid an “ambitious timetable to complete tough and wide-ranging reforms”.

“Bruce brings to the Crown board the ideal blend of commercial, governance and gaming sector expertise and is respected across Australia for his contribution to corporate and government roles,” noted Helen Coonan, Crown’s executive chairman.

“Attracting someone of Bruce’s calibre to the board is an endorsement of our strategy, ambition and commitment to reform. With a track record of building stronger businesses and extensive experience in advisory and board roles, Bruce’s appointment will enhance our governance as we work to implement our ambitious reform program.

“I am determined to maintain the pace of change right across the business and remain committed to further board renewal.”

Greenwood Racing

Greenwood Racing, the owner and operator of Parx Casino in Pennsylvania, has announced the appointment of David Grissen to its board of directors.

Grissen joined Marriott International in 1986, and most recently served as group president until his retirement in April 2021. For the past 11 years, he led the company’s Americas business, overseeing all of the territory’s lodging business, comprising more than 5,500 properties and a vast workforce of 160,000 people.

We are pleased to welcome David to our Greenwood Racing board of directors,” said Eric Hausler, CEO of Greenwood Racing. “David’s impressive 36 year career with Marriott and his wealth of knowledge about all aspects of the hospitality industry and guest service will be invaluable as our company continues to evolve and grow.”

Casino Association of New Jersey

The Casino Association of New Jersey has named its first female president, with Terry Glebocki to be succeed Steve Callender who retired in March.

Glebocki has served as CEO of Ocean Casino Resort since 2019. She has three decades of financial management experience, including serving as chief financial officer of Ocean Casino Resort and Tropicana Entertainment.

“I am privileged and honoured to succeed Steve Callender as the next president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. Steve successfully led our organisation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and we are grateful for the strength and leadership he has shown in these unprecedented times,” said Glebocki.

“I am thrilled to lead the CANJ forward as we work to help Atlantic City and the region recover from this devastating pandemic and continue the ongoing revitalization of this world-class destination resort.”

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As disclosed by Premier Daniel Andrews and Melissa Horne, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, the changes are charged with introducing additional protections to build on those already introduced.

Among the reforms to hit venues across the state are mandatory pre-commitment load-up limits, which will be dropped from the current $1,000 limit to $100, and carded play, in a bid to cut money laundering through Victoria’s gaming venues.

These will be introduced through “thorough consultation with industry through an implementation working group”.

This will take into account similar work across other jurisdictions, as well the the experience gained via Crown Melbourne, which will have mandated pre-commitment and carded play on all EGMs by the end of the current year.

In addition, by mid-2024 obligatory closure periods for all gaming machine areas, except those in a casino, will be enforced between 4am and 10am. 

Pokies will also be subjected to a three second spin rate, while the government “will keep pace” with emerging technologies.

“These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm prevention and anti-money laundering measures in Australia – we owe it to all Victorians to take this stance and help those experiencing harm turn their lives around,” Andrews noted.

“I look forward to the implementation working group’s input and effort.”

The VGCCC began operating in July 2022, with a new regulatory mandate to minimise gambling harm and problem gambling. A raft of changes to state laws subsequently came into effect in September 2022.

Among the alterations entering into force included 24 hour clearance of electronic gaming machine winnings of $2,000 or more paid via electronic funds transfer, as well as a minor gaming permit only being required to conduct a raffle where the prize is above A$20,000.

This year’s budget includes $71m for the VGCCC to take on a larger role in gambling harm minimisation ahead of taking over most of the functions of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation from July 1, 2024.

“Everyone loses when it comes to gambling harm, and it’s not confined to money – people lose their relationships, their jobs and their wellbeing,” Horne said.

“Our previous reforms have delivered stronger oversight of the gambling industry in Victoria with a regulator unafraid to hold venues to account – now we’re doing more important work to reduce gambling-related harm.”

In November of last year, Crown Resorts’ Melbourne-based gaming venue received a mammoth A$120m in fines from the VGCCC, which followed a A$80m fine over the China Union Pay process that was issued six months earlier.

An investigation regarding the former discovered that the operator had breached its responsible gaming code of conduct over many years.

This, it was said, was done by consistently failing to intervene to prevent gambling harm that allowed customers to often gamble for long periods without a break, sometimes for more than 24 hours.

Furthermore, among the numerous findings, it was also revealed that the firm failed to comply with a statutory direction by the regulator to take all reasonable steps to prevent patrons from using plastic picks, and other devices, to simulate automatic play when gambling on certain electronic gaming machines.

Earlier in the year, Crown Melbourne accepted a A$20m fine from the VGCCC for breaching casino tax obligations.

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This includes superannuation, interest and an additional gratuity payment, with an enforceable undertaking signed alongside the Fair Work Ombudsman after the casino operator self-reported underpayments in March 2020.

This related to an audit undertaken by the group at the aforementioned facilities prior to a communication being received by Fair Work Ombudsman Sandra Parker that urged Australia’s top 100 ASX-listed companies to prioritise payroll compliance.

The cause of the underpayments, said the FWO, were caused by Crown incorrectly identifying some of its employees as award-free, thereby underpaying them by failing to meet obligations.

These entitlements included penalty rates, minimum hourly rates, overtime and paid leave rates, with the EU mandating that the group undertake a series of rectifying procedures.

In addition to writing to all underpaid employees regarding the EU, Crown must also publish notices in two newspapers, as well as on its website, Facebook page and workplaces about its contraventions.

Furthermore, the group is also mandated to establish a telephone hotline and dedicated email account for all employees who worked during the relevant period to make enquiries.

Due to the cooperation throughout the investigation, as well as “strong commitment” to correct the wrongdoings, Parker suggested that an EU was the correct course of action.

“Under the EU, Crown has committed to implementing stringent measures to ensure all its current and future workers are paid correctly,” she said.

“These measures include commissioning, at its own cost, two independent annual audits to check its compliance with workplace laws.

“As I called out to the ASX top 100 in early 2020 and have said consistently ever since – employers need to place a high priority on their workplace obligations. 

“Crown’s failures to apply relevant awards to some of its employees and to ensure annual salaries met all minimum entitlements for hours worked led to long-running underpayments of its staff, and a larger remediation bill.

“All employers need to invest the time and resources to ensure they are meeting all lawful entitlements.”

Between July 2014 and June 2020, Crown underpaid around 200 current and former employees in the region of A$1.025m, excluding superannuation, interest and gratuity.

Crown has remediated the aforementioned A$1.2m, including superannuation plus an additional 10 per cent made up of interest and gratuity payment, to the 192 current and former employees that could be located.

However, the EU requires that back-payments be made to the other eight former employees within a 180 day timeframe.

Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth must also make a combined $350,000 contrition payment to the Commonwealth Consolidated Revenue Fund.

In Melbourne, more than $567,000 in back-payments have been made to 102 workers, with these figures ranging from $22 to $66,714. Efforts are still being made to locate the remaining eight. 

Elsewhere, in Perth, all workers have been back-paid, with payments of more than $659,000 made to 90 workers, which range from $5 to $55,192.

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After initially commencing three years ago, Ciarán Carruthers, Crown CEO, said that the agreement, which is subject to Federal Court approval, marks a “significant step” in rectifying shortcomings that “were unacceptable”.

Nicole Rose, AUSTRAC Chief Executive Officer, said: “Crown’s contraventions of the AML/CTF Act meant that a range of obviously high-risk practices, behaviours and customer relationships were allowed to continue unchecked for many years.

“Crown has sought to respond to the failures identified in these proceedings by enhancing its approach to ML/TF risk management and investing in its financial crime compliance. 

“We continue to work closely with Crown to ensure that their AML/CTF program and systems are compliant and fit for purpose into the future.”

In reaching the agreement, the casino operator admitted to failing to “appropriately assess” AML/CTF financial risks, as well as not having the necessary risk-based systems and controls in place to mitigate and manage threats.

Crown has acknowledged that it failed to establish high level frameworks regarding oversight of AML/CTF programs, and did not have a transaction monitoring program in place that was appropriate to the nature, size and complexity of their business.

Furthermore, an enhanced customer due diligence program lacked appropriate procedures to ensure higher risk customers were subjected to extra scrutiny, and ongoing customer due diligence was not conducted regarding those who presented higher money laundering risks.

“The company that committed these unacceptable, historic breaches is far removed from the company that exists today,” explained Carruthers.

“The Crown of today is committed to harm minimisation and becoming the world leader in the delivery of safe gambling and entertainment. 

“To achieve this, we are focused on Future Crown, our multi-year transformation program, which is delivering whole-of-company reform and building a Crown that exceeds the expectations of our stakeholders and community. 

“We take seriously the responsibility we have to the community, to law enforcement, to our industry and stakeholders to ensure that we continue to comply with our AML/CTF obligations.

“There is no place for money laundering or terrorism financing at Crown or anywhere within our communities, and we will continue to invest in developing a sophisticated and robust framework, supported by the right capabilities to combat this illegal behaviour. 

“We are committed to implementing these reforms to make Crown a better business and lift the standards for the entire industry,” 

Last year, Crown, which saw a long protracted A$8.9bn (US$6.3bn) takeover by Blackstone become finalised, received a pair of financial penalties in Victoria that were handed down amid a slew of investigations into the group in recent times.

In November, Crown Resorts’ Melbourne venue received a mammoth A$120m in fines from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.

This became the second such action brought against the company by the regulator following the state’s royal commission into the group, with the financial penalty taking the company’s Victorian total to $200m. One year earlier, the VGCCC fined Crown $80m over its China Union Pay process.

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Last month, the Australia casino and entertainment operator confirmed communication with a collective that claimed to “have illegally obtained a limited number of Crown files”.

However, it was noted that immediate attention was to be placed on investigating the claim’s validity, as well as working with the relevant authorities and gaming regulators. 

Initially established in early February, a number of organisations have confirmed impacts after Fortra’s third-party file transfer service GoAnywhere was impacted by a global data breach.

“We can confirm no customer data has been compromised and our business operations have not been impacted,” a Crown Resorts spokesperson said last month.

Offering an update on the data breach, the company has now confirmed that a limited number of files have been released on the dark web.

This includes employee time and attendance records and some membership numbers from Crown Sydney, however, Crown moved to ease any further potential fears by adding that no personal information of customers had been compromised as part of the breach.

“We are proactively notifying all impacted individuals and are updating membership numbers of those affected out of an abundance of caution. Crown continues to work with law enforcement and our regulators in relation to this cybercrime,” a group spokesperson noted.

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Initially established in early February, a number of organisations subsequently noted impacts after Fortra’s GoAnywhere managed file transfer software was hit.

This led to the Australia casino and entertainment operator confirming that it was contacted by a ransomware group who claimed that they “have illegally obtained a limited number of Crown files”.

However, the group noted that it is investigating the claim’s validity, as well as working with the relevant authorities and gaming regulators. 

Specialist news sites have revealed that the incident has already impacted energy giant Hitachi Energy, brand retailer Saks Fifth Avenue, American education platform Pluralsight, consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, mining company Rio Tinto, the UK’s Pension Protection Fund, cybersecurity firm Rubrik, and healthcare provider Community Health Systems.

Furthermore, the city of Toronto also issued a statement confirming that unauthorised access to data had occurred through a third party vendor, but was keen to note that this was “limited to files that were unable to be processed through the third party secure file transfer system”.

The Crown Resorts statement in full, read: “We were recently contacted by a ransomware group who claim they have illegally obtained a limited number of Crown files. We are investigating the validity of this claim as a matter of priority.

“We can confirm no customer data has been compromised and our business operations have not been impacted.

“We are continuing to work with law enforcement and have notified our gaming regulators as part of the ongoing investigation and will provide relevant updates, as necessary.”

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In his new role, Tsai will lead Crown Perth’s remediation action plan and work with the newly appointed Independent Monitor Paul Steel to implement the recommendations of the Perth Casino Royal Commission. 

“David is well placed to lead Crown Perth through its next phase and steps into the role as CEO at a pivotal moment in its history,” stated Ciarán Carruthers, Crown Resorts CEO.

“David’s passion for instigating true cultural change will have an enormous effect and I look forward to working with him and the team at Crown Perth to create exceptional experiences for our guests in Western Australia.”

Having spend over 15 years with casino and entertainment group MGM Resorts, Tsai most recently served as President of the Midwest Group at the company where he led overall strategic direction and day-to-day operations of MGM Grand Detroit (in Detroit, Michigan) and MGM Northfield Park (in Northfield, Ohio).

“Today is the start of a wonderful journey for me at Crown Perth, and I couldn’t be more excited to be here,” Tsai explained. 

“Across the industry, Crown Perth stands proud as a world-class property, with premium restaurants, luxury accommodation and exceptional entertainment.  

“I am deeply committed to delivering on our reform and remediation plan and cultural transformation, and ensuring Crown achieves its ambition of becoming a world leader in the delivery of safe and responsible gaming and entertainment.  

“I’m privileged by the opportunity to lead our more than 6,000 team members at Crown Perth and share in their understanding and passion for creating exceptional experiences for our guests.”

In March, a royal commission found that Crown was unsuitable to continue holding a gaming licence in Western Australia, but the company was afforded a two year remediation plan, to be overseen by an independent monitor, to clean up its act.

Echoing previous outcomes in New South Wales and Victoria, a series of findings outlined following the inquiry found that the group failed to minimise gambling related harm; permitted junkets with criminal links to operate at the casino; and was not open, accountable, or competent in communications with the state regulator. 

The appointment of an independent monitor was one of 59 recommendations by the royal commission to approve, monitor and report on the remediation plan of the casino operator.

Steel has been appointed as an independent monitor by the Western Australia government to oversee remediation work by the Perth venue in October.

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In a move endorsed by Tony Buti, Racing and Gaming Minister, this is one step in the ongoing work to implement a series of recommendations stemming from the state’s royal commission into the group.

In March, it was found that Crown was unsuitable to continue holding a gaming licence in Western Australia, but the group was afforded a two year remediation plan, to be overseen by an independent monitor, to clean up its act.

Echoing previous outcomes in New South Wales and Victoria, a series of findings outlined following the inquiry found that the group failed to minimise gambling related harm; permitted junkets with criminal links to operate at the casino; and was not open, accountable, or competent in communications with the state regulator. 

The appointment of an independent monitor was one of 59 recommendations by the royal commission to approve, monitor and report on the remediation plan of the casino operator.

“We are pleased to advise that significant work is already underway to implement a number of the royal commission’s recommendations, with much to be achieved in the next 12 to 18 months,” stated Lanie Choping, Gaming and Wagering Commission Chair.

“The Gaming and Wagering Commission is considering all policy aspects and recommendations related to EGMs – including the impact of any required technology updates – in order to fast-track these reforms. 

“The Commission understands the importance of its role as an independent regulator and is committed to fully exploring these matters so that sound and appropriately informed public policy positions can be developed.”

In addition to the above, the regional government is also said to be progressing a range of further harm minimisation measures, which include pre-set weekly loss limits and cashless EGMs/mandating carded play to monitor player gambling.

These reforms are “likely to be implemented” by December 1, 2025, to allow for any additional technology or policies that may need to be put in place.

“The leading recommendation made by the royal commission to address the risk of gambling-related harm for casino patrons is for a comprehensive scheme that will empower them to set their own spend and time limits for EGM use,” added Buti.

“Enacting the $10 limit is the first step as we continue to work towards minimising gambling harm, especially for casino patrons using EGMs. 

“The WA Government remains committed to working with the Gaming and Wagering Commission to deliver successful outcomes on the royal commission’s final report recommendations.”

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This becomes the second such action brought against the company by the regulator following the state’s royal commission into the group, with the financial penalty taking the company’s Victorian total to $200m. In May of this year the VGCCC fined Crown $80m over its China Union Pay process.

Coming in the form of two fines for a failure to address responsible service of gambling obligations, the company had accepted the disciplinary action as well as the need to continue working on reforms to address these and other protocols.

In elaborating on the failing, the VGCCC shared that “Crown Melbourne consistently and for many years failed to intervene, when it should have, with those of its customers who were demonstrating the indicator of gambling harm constituted by often gambling for long periods without a break”.

“At the Royal Commission, Crown accepted the responsible service of gambling as both a legal obligation and a condition of its social licence to operate,” explained Fran Thorn, Chair of the VGCCC. 

“For a long time, Crown failed in its legal and moral obligation to ensure it provided its gambling products and services in a manner which minimised potential harm to its patrons, their families, friends and communities.

“The record fines totalling A$120m that we have imposed on Crown today will send a powerful message to Crown that the Commission will not tolerate misconduct that exposes our community to increased risks of gambling related harm. 

“These were not isolated breaches. They were part of a pattern of extensive, sustained and systemic failures by Crown that spanned roughly 12 years.

“We urge all gambling licence holders to read this decision. This disciplinary action also sounds a warning to all in the Victorian gambling industry that we expect them to do everything they can to minimise the harmful impacts of gambling.

“The Commission will be resolute in pursuing our new requirement to regulate for harm minimisation, and the industry can expect further action from the Commission on this matter.”

The aforementioned investigation into the casino operator discovered that Crown breached its responsible gaming code of conduct over many years by consistently failing to intervene to prevent gambling harm that allowed customers to often gamble for long periods without a break, sometimes for more than 24 hours.

Furthermore, among the numerous findings, it was also said that the firm failed to comply with a statutory direction by the regulator to take all reasonable steps to prevent patrons from using plastic picks, and other devices, to simulate ‘automatic play’ when gambling on certain electronic gaming machines.

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Kohli shared the video in question on social media yesterday, which he labelled as “appalling” and making “me feel paranoid about my privacy”.

“I understand that fans get very happy and excited seeing their favourite players and get excited to meet them and I’ve always appreciated that,” Kohli expressed on Instagram. 

“If I cannot have privacy in my own hotel room, then where can I really expect any personal space at all?? I’m NOT okay with this kind of fanaticism and absolute invasion of privacy.

“Please respect people’s privacy and not treat them as a commodity for entertainment”.

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In response, Crown Resorts noted that the safety and privacy of guests “is our number one priority,” and stressed that the group, and property in question, “are incredibly disappointed this incident has occurred”.

A Crown Resorts spokesperson said: “We unreservedly apologise to the guest involved and will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure this remains an isolated incident. 

“We have zero tolerance for this behaviour, and it falls well below the standards we set for our team members and contractors. 

“Crown took immediate steps to rectify the issue, including launching an investigation, standing down the individuals involved and removing them from the Crown account. The original video was also swiftly removed from the social media platform.” 

The company is also working alongside the Indian Cricket team and the International Cricket Council to issue further apologies and issue assurances that an investigation is ongoing.

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