The authority, along with the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, is conducting an inquiry into the extent and nature of money laundering in such venues across the state. The joint inquiry is being supported by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Commissioner of the NSW Crime Commission Michael Barnes is now calling for submissions regarding money laundering in the state, with particular reference to the use of electronic gaming machines/poker machines (EGMs).
“Working with the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, we’ve established that last year AU$85bn (US$60.93bn) was gambled in poker machines in pubs and clubs in NSW,” said Barnes.
“We simply don’t know how much of that was the proceeds of crime being laundered by or on behalf of criminal syndicates, but when so much money is involved it is reasonable to suspect some level of criminal activity.”
Members of the public, academics with interest in the state, and current or past employees of pubs and clubs have been invited to make submissions, which can be kept confidential if desired. The deadline for submissions is 28 January 2022.
Barnes continued: “We aren’t starting with any preconceptions about the extent of that criminal activity. We know pubs and clubs deliver valuable community services and are assured ClubsNSW, the peak body for the industry, is committed to stamping out illegality.
“However, we expect the expert investigators, data analysts, lawyers and intelligence officers working on this project to uncover activities not previously known to operators or regulators that will assist to ensure pubs and clubs stay profitable while the community is protected.”
