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ABC News
ABC News
Business

Adelaide's SkyCity casino faces independent review as casino industry probe widens

The SkyCity casino and Adelaide Railway Station building in Adelaide's CBD. (Facebook: SkyCity)

South Australian authorities have launched an independent review of Adelaide's SkyCity casino, in light of similar inquiries into casinos interstate.

Retired Supreme Court judge and former royal commissioner Brian Martin AO QC will lead the inquiry, which has been ordered by the commissioner for consumer and business affairs, Dini Soulio.

Mr Soulio said commissions of inquiry into casinos had been undertaken in New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia and a further inquiry was about to begin in Queensland.

"Inquiries to date have highlighted significant failings on the part of Crown Resorts as operators of Crown Casinos," he said.

"In addition, Star Entertainment Group is the subject of a current inquiry in NSW where significant failings have been identified.

Last year, SkyCity revealed it was being investigated by financial crime watchdog AUSTRAC over serious non-compliance relating to money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws in its Adelaide operations.

In a statement issued to the ASX, SkyCity said AUSTRAC had identified concerns about SkyCity Adelaide's management of high-risk customers and "politically exposed" people.

It said AUSTRAC's concerns related to "ongoing customer due diligence" and adopting, maintaining, and complying with an anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism financing program.

SkyCity says it will fully cooperate with the inquiry and any requests for information.  (Facebook: SkyCity)

Mr Soulio said Mr Martin was eminently qualified to inquire into the casino.

"Mr Martin is a highly respected member of the legal profession. He has conducted reviews of key criminal justice policies in South Australia including reforms to the handling of major indictable offences and the state's sentencing discount scheme," he said.

"I have every confidence he will deliver a report to help us ensure that South Australians can have confidence in the way that the Adelaide Casino is operating."

In a statement to the stock exchange, SkyCity said it would fully cooperate with the review and any requests for information and documents.

The report is due to be completed by the start of February.

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