IT’S BEEN A BUSY WEEK – IN INDUSTRY NEWS
2019 Smart Pups for Autistic Children Fundraiser Luncheon at The Paddo, Brisbane
Every year, for the last 9 years, at the McGuire’s Hotels celebrated Paddington Tavern, the industry gets together to fundraise for the Smart Pups Assistance Dogs Organisation. The funds are used to purchase, care for and train assistance dogs to improve the quality of life for children with special needs, giving them confidence through emotional and physical support.
Supporters including casinos, clubs, pubs, suppliers, manufacturers and regulators get together to assist in raising the much need funds.
This year the annual luncheon featured Australian sporting icons Ian Thorpe & Dawn Fraser (with puppies!) as well as Australian Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, the Hoodoo Guru’s. $86,650 was raised on the day with 100% of the money donated to the Smart Pups Assistance Dogs Organisation.
Check out the video here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vAgwsc3Cjnjq5NJ1Uf0eY6rlZS3oyHKZ/view?usp=sharing
Packer sells half his shares in Crown Resorts
James Packer has sold almost half his stake in Crown Resorts for $1.76 billion to a Macau-based entertainment company. Consolidated Press Holdings, Mr Packer’s private investment company, confirmed it had sold 19.99 per cent of its shareholding in Crown Resorts to Melco Resorts and Entertainment. Once the share sale is completed, CPH will retain about 26 per cent of Crown, worth about $2.3 billion, and will remain represented on the Crown board.
Mr Packer said he was “thrilled” Lawrence Ho and Melco had chosen to invest in Crown.
The past few years have seen Crown forced to deal with plunging profits, business expansion woes and the arrest of more than a dozen of its employees in China for the illegal promotion of gambling.
For the full story click here: http://www.msn.com/en-au/money/company-news/james-packer-sells-dollar176b-stake-in-crown-resorts/ar-AAC8vS4?li=AAgfYrC&ocid=iehp
Change of minister for NSW
After the NSW state elections in March the NSW government has consolidated several departments to move Liquor and Gaming NSW, the Office of Racing and the Office of Responsible Gambling which will become part of the newly created Department of Customer Service.
Victor Dominello is the minister for customer service, responsible for liquor and gaming legislation. Kevin Anderson is now the minister for better regulation and innovation, which includes racing legislation.
Sydney’s Lockout laws may be wound back
Following a push from many of the newly elected cross-benchers, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered a review to “take stock” and rethink the existing lockout laws. A cross-party review committee will examine how to maintain community safety for individuals and ensure regulatory arrangements for businesses remain appropriately balanced.
“We have always sought to strike a balance between limiting alcohol-related violence and maintaining a vibrant night-time economy,” Ms Berejiklian said
Former Aristocrat CEO Jamie Odell joins Scientific Games
Ex CEO of Aristocrat Leisure, Jamie Odell, has joined Scientific Games as special advisor to the Board Chairman and CEO, Ronald O Perelman, and other senior executives, on gaming industry trends and market innovations. Odell will work with company CEO Barry Cottles to support current growth strategies across the company.
