The NSW Crime Commission (NCC) has directed staff to investigate claims that the integrity of its groundbreaking report into money laundering using poker machines may have been “compromised.”
Millions of dollars in “dirty cash” were being channelled through electronic gambling machines in bars and clubs across the state, according to an inquiry conducted by the influential group last year.
Project Islington discovered that while playing pokies to “clean” or “launder” money was not as common, the majority of these incidents included criminals gaming with illegally obtained money.
The Minns administration promised to test out cashless gaming at some establishments after the study served as the foundation for discussion on gambling reform in NSW.
Alex Greenwich, an independent MP, expressed doubts about the integrity of the money laundering data and claimed that “the full extent” may not have been captured in the study.
Mr Greenwich said the state legislature on Thursday that the probe may have been “constrained” because it lacked all the information gathered by Liquor and Gaming NSW.
He proposed a motion, which the house adopted, requesting the production of many papers to the legislature.
He explained, “It covers information that has been brought to my attention that may have hampered the criminal commission’s investigations.”
On Friday, Mr. Greenwich told that “two very reliable sources” had alerted him to these worries.
Allegations included the notion that some bars and clubs had been “tipped off” on impending compliance tests.
“[The sources] have indicated to me that the type and extent of money laundering that was occurring in pubs and clubs in New South Wales, the full extent of that was not accurately reflected in the report,” the speaker claimed.
“That spirits and gaming contain further information, facts, and guidance.
Furthermore, it has been recommended to me that pubs and clubs may have been informed in advance about compliance checks. There is additional connected correspondence with this suggestion.
Mr Greenwich said it was “unclear” whether material was purposefully suppressed but did not accuse Liquor and Gaming or any government ministers of wrongdoing.
In a statement issued on Friday, NCC Commissioner Michael Barnes stated that staff had been told to investigate the claims.
For obvious reasons, the commission must feel confident in the validity and breadth of the information supporting its reports, he said.
“We will take all necessary measures to guarantee that the objectivity of our inquiry into this matter has not been tainted.
“At the same time, we must take care to avoid interfering with any current legislative procedures out of respect for them. To ensure that doesn’t happen, I spoke with Mr. Greenwich about the issue today.
Following an investigation that revealed massive amounts of money were being wagered on the state’s poker machines, the NSW Crime Commission recommended the implementation of a required gaming card and improved data gathering techniques.
A representative for Liquor and Gaming NSW stated that the organisation participated actively in Project Islington and closely collaborated with the NCC for ten months.
They claimed that any “relevant information” gathered through their research and evidence collecting was sent to the investigation or other organisations like AUSTRAC.
The statement read, “L&GNSW is not aware of any instances of venues being given prior notice of our investigative work related to Project Islington.”
All parliamentary orders pertaining to this topic shall be obeyed by L&GNSW.
Mr. Greenwich has fought for gambling regulation reform and is in favour of making cashless gaming a requirement in New South Wales.
