An internal investigation from Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Limited has cleared Chief Executive Officer Ciaran Carruthers over allegations the boss may have personally intervened so as to allow excluded punters to gamble.

The firm launched the in-house examination in December following the emergence of complaints Carruthers had circumvented the authority of on-site security staff in helping barred customers to access the 220,000 sq ft gaming floor of the company’s 1,604-room Crown Melbourne property.

Scrutinized Events

Melbourne-headquartered Crown Resorts Limited, which is also responsible for the Crown Sydney and Crown Perth developments, disclosed its directors initiated the probe into Carruthers’ alleged actions after security staff began circulating a petition. This appeal is said to have asked for a full apology and support from the operator’s owner, American private equity management firm The Blackstone Group Incorporated.

Strengthened Supervision

Carruthers has over three decades of international casino industry experience and previously served as the Chief Operating Officer for the Wynn Casino facility in Macau until being hired by Crown Resorts Limited in July of 2022. The Ireland-born figure is well-known for his hands-on habit of walking around casino gaming areas and is leading efforts to ensure the Australian company keeps its Victoria gambling license following the disastrous findings of a 2021 review.

Troubling Times

Crown Resorts Limited was initially refused a New South Wales casino license for its Crown Sydney development in 2021 after an official state-backed investigation uncovered allegations of money laundering linked to the firm’s past use of foreign junkets. This was followed by probes from the governments of Western Australia and Victoria in which the operator was forced to implement a range of enhanced anti-corruption and scrutiny measures so as to be able to keep operating.

William McBeath serves as the Chairman for Crown Resorts Limited and told Reuters his firm has additionally replaced most of its senior leadership since 2021 as part of a campaign to show authorities it has rebuilt its governance systems.

“The recent investigation by independent, external counsel initiated by the Crown Resorts Limited board is now complete and found that no regulations or laws were breached by the Crown Resorts Limited Chief Executive Officer with respect to the complaint filed,” McBeath told Reuters.

Official Outcome

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) had been conducting its own probe into the alleged actions of Carruthers but told the Australian Financial Review it is satisfied with Crown Resorts Limited’s handling of the matter. The regulator went on to assert it intends to closely monitor the implementation of the enhanced anti-corruption and scrutiny measures laid out some nine months ago and expects to make a final decision on the status of the operator’s full state casino license in April.

“The VGCCC’s assessment of Crown Melbourne’s suitability to hold the Melbourne casino licence is ongoing and will be finalised by mid-April,” read a statement from the VGCCC.