A comprehensive independent review has concluded that the SkyCity Adelaide Casino is suitable to hold South Australia’s only casino license, though the finding comes with a caveat following a history of significant failures.
The final report, released in August 2025 by Liquor and Gambling Commissioner Brett Humphrey, was conducted by retired Supreme Court Judge, the Hon Brian Martin AO KC, who was first appointed in July 2022.
The investigation highlighted that while SkyCity is currently deemed suitable, it had a documented history of failing to comply with obligations related to anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) and gambling harm minimization. ‘If I had been asked to determine the suitability of the licensee and SCEG (Sky City Entertainment Group) at the end of October 2021, the inevitable answer would have been that neither were suitable,’ Martin wrote.
The report detailed a ‘poor and inadequate culture’ that existed in the past, where the licensee’s board failed to exercise its powers until November 2021. A key turning point was the institution of Federal Court proceedings by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (AUSTRAC) in December 2022, which alleged serious deficiencies in the casino’s compliance program between 2015 and 2022. The investigation was suspended until June 2024 pending the outcome of the AUSTRAC case, in which SkyCity Adelaide later admitted to ‘numerous breaches’ of the AML/CTF Act and was fined AU$67 million ($44 million).
Following the proceedings, a new approach emerged, with a positive resolution to implement appropriate remediation measures. The report noted that the licensee ‘now understand[s] far better and acknowledge[s] that our historical shortcomings have arisen from… insufficient prioritization of compliance at all levels of the business’. SkyCity also admitted it had ‘not met all of its gambling harm obligations and that inappropriate corporate governance arrangements have been a significant contributor to those inadequacies’.
In response to the preliminary findings, the Commissioner issued a Direction in May 2023 requiring SkyCity to prepare a Program of Work for remediation in the areas of AML/CTF compliance and harm minimization. An independent monitor, Kroll Australia Pty Ltd, was appointed to review and oversee the implementation of this program. The report also mentioned that the company has committed substantial resources, anticipating an investment of AU$56 million ($36.8 million) over three years for the remediation efforts.
‘I am satisfied that, today, the licensee is a suitable person to hold the license and operate the casino,’ Martin concluded. However, this suitability is contingent on the continuation of the new culture and ongoing remediation work. Commissioner Brett Humphrey is now reviewing the findings to determine if any further enforcement action is necessary.
In response, SkyCity Chief Executive Officer Jason Walbridge said: “We fully accept and acknowledge the findings of the report that we did not measure up to the standards required, and we apologize for those failings. We further acknowledge Mr Martin’s findings and the Commissioner’s comments that we still have work to do. We remain committed to our B3 program (Better Business Program) and constructive engagement with all our regulators.
“We have made significant enhancements in terms of leadership, resourcing and systems, including a commitment to invest AU$60 million ($39.4 million) over three years to transform our culture, and to uplift our financial crime and host responsibility practices. Our team has worked hard to raise our standards, better meet our obligations and improve how we look after our customers.”
