Howlett fills the vacancy created by the departure of Craig Sahlin.
Australia.- The New South Wales government has appointed Christine Howlett as the new commissioner of the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) for a four-year term. Howlett takes over from Craig Sahlin, who has left his position after two years.
From 2021, Howlett was deputy special manager overseeing Crown Melbourne’s efforts to make changes after the Finkelstein Royal Commission’s findings. Her role focused on reducing gambling harm and preventing money laundering. She has also held positions at Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission, the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants in Victoria, and the National Crime Authority.
The NICC was created in 2022 as an independent body to regulate the two casinos in the state. The regulator said Howlett “joins the NICC with substantial executive leadership experience in public administration, corporate governance, regulation and stakeholder engagement.”
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David Harris, minister for gaming and racing, said: “An exhaustive selection process was undertaken to fill the NICC Commissioner role in accordance with legislative requirements, including the establishment of a selection panel and engagement of an independent probity adviser.
“Christine Howlett brings a wide range of skills and expertise to the NICC, with highly relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation program.She joins the NICC at a critical time with the regulator currently monitoring The Star casino’s ongoing remediation work following the Bell Two Inquiry.
“I would like to thank Craig Sahlin for his outstanding contribution to both the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years. His demonstrated expertise has significantly contributed to strengthening the government’s regulatory framework and public confidence and trust in the work of both the NICC and ILGA.”
NICC chief commissioner Philip Crawford commented: “The NICC is pleased to welcome Christine Howlett to the role and is looking forward to utilising her experience to advance the NICC’s strategic priorities.
“Christine’s skills will be valuable to help the NICC expand its surveillance and data collection abilities to better monitor financial crime risks and compliance. Christine’s expertise in building internal capacity will assist the NICC to maintain effective regulatory supervision past the remediation and suitability phases, and into longer-term sustainability.
“We thank Craig Sahlin for his exceptional work with the NICC and ILGA over the past eight years. His dedication was instrumental in advancing the NICC’s mission and his efforts have contributed to the achievement of significant milestones.”
El proceso había iniciado en octubre, pero se demoró por diversas presentaciones judiciales.
Chile.- El equipo de Seguridad Pública municipal y Carabineros de Chile hicieron un operativo donde fiscalizaron más de una decena de salas de juego, procedimiento que finalizó con la clausura de diez de estos locales en diversos puntos del centro cívico de San Fernando.
Esta situación se da luego de una fiscalización previa realizada en el mes de octubre, donde se evidenció que dichos locales no contaban con patente comercial del municipio para ejercer dicho negocio por lo que, a través de decreto municipal, se procedió a la clausura.
Al respecto, el alcalde Pablo Silva Pérez resaltó la importancia de este operativo ya que se inserta dentro de un plan de fiscalizaciones que está trabajando su actual administración: “Seguimos ordenando nuestra ciudad porque, poco a poco, hemos ido eliminando las ilegalidades que nos encontramos al llegar al municipio. Le quiero decir a nuestros vecinos que deben tener la tranquilidad que durante esta administración seguiremos haciendo el trabajo que corresponde para ordenar San Fernando”, afirmó el jefe comunal.
Asimismo, hizo un llamado a los parlamentarios y al Gobierno para que apuren la tramitación de la ley que entrega más atribuciones a los equipos de seguridad pública municipal. “Es muy necesario que se concrete este cambio legal ya que nos permitirá realizar mayores fiscalizaciones y controles, a fin de mejorar la seguridad de nuestros vecinos” resaltó Silva Pérez.
Ver también: Dictan prisión preventiva para 6 de los 19 detenidos en masivo operativo contra casinos ilegales en Chile
