Crown Resorts chief executive Ken Barton is standing his ground despite increasing pressure on him from regulators to resign amid damning findings from the NSW casino inquiry.
Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou has succumbed to growing pressure and announced his resignation after the gaming giant was found not suitable to hold a gaming licence.
However, Crown remains adamant that CEO Ken Barton has not resigned despite media reports claiming he will announce his resignation today.
Mr Demetriou joins fellow directors Guy Jalland and Michael Johnston in quitting amid the Bergin report s bombshell allegations the company was involved in money laundering and had links to organised crime.
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Crown Resorts director Andrew Demetriou speaks during his inquiry hearing in December last year.(Supplied) Crown and Mr Barton are continuing to consider his position having regard to the recommendations and findings of the Commissioner s report, Crown Resorts said in a statement.
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First published on Thu 11 Feb 2021 02.37 EST
The chief executive of Crown Resorts, Ken Barton, and a non-executive director of the casino group, Andrew Demetriou, have reportedly resigned following pressure from gambling regulators in New South Wales and Victoria.
A third director, Harold Mitchell, is believed to be planning to resign after the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) asked him to explain why he was suitable to remain on the board.
The Australian newspaper reported on Thursday night that Barton had offered his resignation and Demetriou had quit.
“I have always been a team player and supported the greater good,” Demetriou said in a statement according to the Australian. “I will therefore step down from the Crown Resorts board to give Crown the best possible chance of becoming suitable to the NSW regulator.”
Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says two directors of the Crown board have been described as “delusional” for refusing to quit and thinking the NSW government’s gaming authority will grant the casino a licence and let them stay.
Crown Resorts CEO Ken Barton and former AFL boss Andrew Demetriou were heavily criticised in the report which determined Crown Resorts is 'not suitable' to hold a gaming license for its flagship Sydney casino in Barangaroo.
“This is not a court of law after all, whether these two gentlemen think the report is fair or not is tough bikkies,” Mr Clennell said.
“So, you would except resignations from them eventually”.