\nReuters: Australia<\/p>\n
\tMay 7 (Reuters) – Police are investigating a public brawl between James Packer, one of Australia’s richest men, and a television executive, which could jeopardise regional expansion plans for Packer’s casino business if it leads to a criminal conviction.<\/p>\n
\tThe fight on Sunday between Crown Resorts Ltd Executive Chairman Packer and David Gyngell, chief executive of Nine Entertainment Group, left Packer with a black eye and a bruised reputation after photographs of the violence were published around the world.<\/p>\n
\tPolice on Wednesday confirmed they had launched an investigation even though the old schoolmates have issued a statement saying they remained friends despite their "ups and downs".<\/p>\n
\tNine said Gyngell – seen in the photographs looking dishevelled and barefooted as he wrestled with Packer outside the casino mogul’s Bondi beach apartment – had accepted responsibility for initiating the fight.<\/p>\n
\tAny resulting criminal convictions could complicate Packer’s plans to expand his casino operations in Japan, Sri Lanka and Australia.<\/p>\n
\tPacker’s Melbourne-based Crown has won initial approval to build a $1 billion luxury hotel complex with a VIP gaming licence in Sydney, pending the outcome of a probity inquiry into the firm’s fitness to operate a casino. It is also bidding for a $1 billion-plus casino project in Brisbane, in addition to its two existing casinos in Melbourne and Perth.<\/p>\n
\tThe Commission for Gambling and Liquor regulation in Melbourne is watching the police investigation, a spokesman said. But he said it was "a bit speculative" to say the brawl would have an impact on Packer’s casino licence there.<\/p>\n
\t"We are just aware of the police investigation. We are waiting to see what happens," he said.<\/p>\n
\tIn Sydney, the Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority said it had no comment on the brawl.<\/p>\n
\tThe probity inquiry is looking at whether Packer is a "suitable person" to run Sydney’s second casino, including whether he is "of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity".<\/p>\n
\tA Crown spokeswoman said she was unable to comment on the investigation or its potential impact on Packer’s business interests.<\/p>\n
\tNew South Wales state parliamentarian Alex Greenwich, who opposes the new casino, said he hoped the gaming authority considered "recent events" when making its decision.<\/p>\n
\tOpposition from politicians and Buddhist leaders fearful of the cultural impact of casinos have already hampered Packer’s push to expand into Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n
\tThe Sri Lankan government last month approved Crown’s plans to build a $400 million resort complex along with two similar projects, but without any explicit permission to operate casinos.<\/p>\n
\tIn Japan, Packer is hoping his Macau-based joint venture Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd will be chosen as one of the few foreign firms allowed to enter the potentially massive market, as parliament considers liberalising the industry.<\/p>\n
\tAustralian Shareholders’ Association spokesman Stephen Mayne told ABC radio that Packer’s punch-up had added an extra layer of risk to his operations.<\/p>\n
\t"He’s one of the three biggest casino moguls in the world, and the biggest risk management question for casino licensees is probity, and being seen to be a fit and proper person," he said.<\/p>\n
\t"So clearly being involved in a violent street brawl is potentially problematic in terms of ongoing and future casino licensing." (Editing by Stephen Coates)<\/p>\n
No replies were posted for this topic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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