Opposition politicians in Western Australia (WA) are demanding more details about the trip to Macau by a senior official from the state's gaming regulator. According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the trip was paid for by Crown Perth (pictured), a property of the Australian casino operator Crown Resorts Inc.
State broadcaster ABC News Service said Sergeant Barry, director of WA's racing, gaming and alcohol division, traveled to Macau last year at Crown's expense.
Mr. Sergant reportedly spent three days in Macau collecting information about Crown's Asian Games.
James Packer is the chairman of Crown Resorts. His company is also investing in Macau casinos through the Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd joint venture, which Mr. Packer is co-chairman of.
Australia's Labor Party said the department's guidance on gift acceptance and hospitality appeared to be in violation when it came to regulators' travel, ABC reported.
GGRAsia approached Crown Resorts for comment on the matter but had no immediate response.
The code of conduct for the racing, gaming and alcohol departments says: "Giving or receiving gifts or hospitality may inappropriately affect or result in visible effects on decision-making. You shall not receive any gifts, appreciation or hospitality provided in connection with your obligations (except as permitted by our policy) and shall not request any remuneration or benefits for performing your obligations."
Ken Travers, acting spokesperson for the opposition's responsibility, told ABC: "The minister needs to explain why he approved the trip and how he will now ensure that conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest are managed in that portfolio."
WA's Racing and Gaming Minister's office said in a written response to GGRAsia that it did not consider "hospitality" as the trip was meant to better understand the importance of international VIP businesses for casinos.
"Crown is an important contributor to tourism in Western Australia, with the VIP international market as a key component," Secretary Terry Waldron said in a statement.
"With regional competition increasing significantly in various Asian markets, the purpose of Mr. Sargent's trip was to gain a greater understanding of Macau's international VIP business and implications for its local operations," Mr. Waldron said.
"In my role as a Western Australian gambling regulator, it is entirely appropriate to be better informed about the challenges of this market," he added. "The director general manages conflicts in accordance with government guidelines, whether they are aware of it or not."
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