This is the awkward moment James Packer is confronted by a recovering poker machine addict as the billionaire defends Crown Casino against rigging allegations.
Appearing for the company’s annual general meeting in Melbourne on Thursday, Mr Packer faced a line of questioning from recovering gambling addict Anna Bardlsey.
‘How much do you know about the very real people that are harmed by poker machines which are addictive?’ Ms Bardsley said.
James Packer this week slammed serious misconduct allegations against casino operator Crown Resorts ‘a lie’ after the casino was accused of tampering with gambling machines to increase profits.
Appearing for the company’s annual general meeting in Melbourne on Thursday, Mr Packer faced a line of questioning from recovering gambling addict Anna Bardlsey
Ms Bardsley, a retiree, said her 10-year-long gambling addiction derailed her life.
‘If I see or hear a poker machine accidentally, because I don’t go anymore, they still have the power to trigger my brain,’ she said, Nine News reported.
Appearing to avoid giving a direct answer, Mr Packer replied ‘I’m very sympathetic for the difficulties that the last 10 years has put you through’.
While ‘sympathetic’, Mr Packer said it was ‘impossible to run casinos without tables and slots’.
The billionaire went on to explain it was important casinos acted responsibly, not just for their clients, but because ‘political backlash was bad for business’.
‘How much do you know about the very real people that are harmed by poker machines which are addictive?’ Ms Bardsley (left) said
James Packer and his former partner Singer Mariah Carey attend the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in 2016
Independent federal member Andrew Wilkie used parliamentary privilege on Tuesday to make allegations that Crown rigged gambling machines for its own benefit, allowed illegal drug use, and turned a blind eye to domestic abuse.
Mr Wilkie requested for a parliamentary inquiry into the matter.
Frustrated with the accusations, Mr Packer said they were nothing more than ‘a lie’.
Crown Casino has also vehemently denied the accusations.
Crown Casino has also vehemently denied the accusations of machine tampering
Frustrated with the accusations, Mr Packer (centre) said they were nothing more than ‘a lie’
He said the casino would consider releasing data collected on poker machines and their revenue
Mr Packer said the casino was open to improving industry transparency.
He said the casino would consider releasing data collected on poker machines and their revenue.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Victoria’s Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation and Austrak were investigating the allegations.
‘Those agencies have the necessary powers, extensive powers, and indeed powers far greater than a Parliamentary Committee,’ he said.
‘The idea that those investigations would be assisted by a simultaneous parliamentary inquiry, almost beggars belief.’