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Minister confident in regulator over Crown

Gaming minister Marlene Kairouz has confidence in Victoria's regulator and its ability to investigate allegations Crown tampered with pokies.

MP Andrew Wilkie speaks during House of Representatives Question Time.
MP Andrew Wilkie tabled evidence from whistleblowers alleging serious misconduct by Crown Casino. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Victoria's gaming minister is confident the state's regulator can thoroughly investigate allegations Crown casino tampered with its poker machines, despite being embroiled in the explosive accusations.

Marlene Kairouz met with the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation on Wednesday after Independent MP Andrew Wilkie used federal parliamentary privilege to allege Crown tampered with machines in its Southbank gaming precinct.

The Tasmanian MP said former Crown staff alleged the VCGLR had done nothing to stop the "shocking criminal misconduct" and in some cases was "complicit in covering it up".

Ms Kairouz has ordered the regulator to do a full investigation into the claims.

"These are just allegations, no one's come forward and said exactly what the regulator has done," Ms Kairouz told reporters on Wednesday.

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"If somebody out there knows or has any further information, we request they come forward immediately."

The VCGLR has also said it will act.

"We take any claims of this type extremely seriously and they will be thoroughly investigated," a spokeswoman said in a statement.

"The VCGLR maintains constant oversight of the Melbourne casino and has taken active steps over the past 12 months to improve our level of supervision of the casino.

"This includes establishing a specialist dedicated casino team. We undertake regular inspections and audits of the casino each year."

The commission is also required to review Crown's licence every five years - the sixth review since 1991 is underway.

Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland said Crown's pokies should be immediately shut down while an independent audit is done.

"Crown cannot be allowed to operate pokie machines until an independent audit has been completed," Ms Hartland said.

Lawyers leading a landmark case on behalf of gamblers against poker machine manufacturers and venues in Victoria's Federal Court, said Mr Wilkie's allegations could have major consequences for the industry.

"It is well known that many of the people who play poker machines are highly vulnerable and today's allegations paint a very concerning picture about the conduct of Crown with respect to people playing machines in their venues," lawyer Jennifer Kanis said.


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