Vic govt orders investigation as Crown hits back over “sensationalised” reporting

Crown Casino has hit back at claims made by 60 Minutes and Nine-owned newspapers The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.

Nine this week made a series of money laundering claims at Crown’s Melbourne casino, including special deals with government allegedly granting foreign high-rollers easy access to the nation’s gaming rooms.

But news.com.au reports a brief statement from Crown says it’s facing a “deceitful campaign”.

“Much of this unbalanced and sensationalised reporting is based on unsubstantiated allegations, exaggerations, unsupported connections and outright falsehoods,” a statement from the company read.

“Crown is therefore constrained in responding to many of the unfounded allegations made in the media reports.”

It also rejected claims it dodged Australian visa application requirements for wealthy clients.

“Crown has not sought to circumvent visa requirements or compromise any process of identification or verification for immigration purposes.”

Meanwhile Victoria’s minister for gambling, Marlene Kairouz, says she has ordered the state’s casino regulator to conduct a snap investigation into a flood of allegations made against Crown Resorts.

The Guardian reports Kairouz said, “The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will cooperate fully with any investigation.

“I’ve asked the regulator to re-examine the allegations raised as a matter of priority and report back to me as soon as possible.

“I’ve also asked the department, with the assistance of the commission, to examine the regulatory arrangements of junket operators.”