Western Australia's gaming regulator has recommended the McGowan Government establish an independent inquiry into Crown's suitability to hold the state's only casino licence.

The recommendation, made after an urgent meeting of the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC) that was also attended by WA Police Deputy Commissioner Col Blanch, has already received the backing of the Gaming Minister.

It comes after last week's scathing report into the gambling giant, which detailed years of money laundering through Crown Perth and led to the resignation of the state's chief casino officer over social relationships with staff from Crown Perth's legal and compliance team.

The meeting on Tuesday evening considered advice from the State Solicitor's Office as to the findings of the Bergin Inquiry in New South Wales.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the GWC said it would seek to launch an independent investigation because it was not able to make findings in relation to Crown Perth on the basis of the NSW investigation.

"The GWC acknowledges the seriousness of the findings and has been working cooperatively with the Bergin Inquiry since it came to light," it said.

The Commission said it also considered responses to the inquiry by Crown Resorts at the meeting.

Grounds for inquiry detailed

The GWC said it would formally recommend that an independent inquiry be established under the direction of the Minister for Racing, Gaming and Liquor, Paul Papalia.

The Commission said it hoped the inquiry would determine:

• The suitability of Crown Perth to hold WA's only casino gaming licence
• The suitability of "close associates"
• How appropriately Crown Perth responded to the GWC before and during the Bergin inquiry
• How effective the GWC, and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries was in discharging its duties, and
• Any legislative amendments or regulatory controls that would address issues raised by the Bergin Inquiry.

"In recommending that the Minister direct the GWC, it will ensure that the inquiry has the powers of a Royal Commission as opposed to general powers of an investigation by the GWC," it said.

The Commission also said it would seek to ratify directions at its next meeting that would require the Commission's approval to open gaming bank accounts, and would prohibit "junket operations" at Crown Perth.

"The GWC has confidence that in light of international borders closing due to COVID-19 there were no junkets taking place at Crown Perth from March 2020," it said.

"The last junket from mainland China to Crown Perth was in November 2016, the last from Hong Kong was August 2019 and the last from Macau was March 2020.

"At the December 2020 GWC meeting, the Commissioners noted Crown's suspension of junket operations and the closure of the Riverbank account."

The Bergin Inquiry found a shell company called Riverbank had been used to launder hundreds of millions of dollars at Crown Perth from at least 2014.

Minister wants inquiry 'as soon as possible'

Mr Papalia issued his own statement in response to the GWC, giving the inquiry his backing.

"I would like to thank the Gaming and Wagering Commission for providing timely advice following its consideration of the Bergin Inquiry this afternoon," he said.

"A formal recommendation from the Commission regarding an inquiry into the issues raised in the Bergin Inquiry, specific to Crown Perth operations, will now be finalised.

"The State Solicitor's Office will also provide advice regarding the terms of reference for the independent inquiry, so it can be established as soon as possible.

"The McGowan Government takes these issues extremely seriously, and will ensure the independent inquiry has the full powers it requires.

"We also support the Commission's decision to issue directions to prohibit junkets at Crown Perth."

New chief casino officer confirmed

Tuesday evening's meeting also confirmed Mark Beecroft would assume the role of chief casino officer, after Michael Connolly "volunteered to step aside from his role" following questions over his social relationship with Crown staff.

"At the October 2020 GWC meeting, Mr Connolly made a formal declaration of an interest due to his personal associations with staff at Crown Perth," the statement read.

"At today's meeting, the Chair advised the GWC of due diligence measures taken by himself in his capacity as Director General to ensure the declaration of conflict of interest had not impacted the regulation of Crown Perth casino.

"At the November 2020 GWC meeting, a decision was taken to commission an independent performance audit … into the oversight GWC has undertaken during the period of the Bergin Inquiry."

It said that audit was due to be finalised by the end of the month.