New Crown Perth CEO pledges to take the lead on recovery plan
Former MGM Resorts International executive David Tsai has pledged to lead from the front with Crown Perth’s reform and remediation plan after officially starting his new role as chief executive at the casino.
Tsai brings nearly two decades of experience at the heart of integrated resorts to Crown Perth, having spent more than 15 years at MGM Resorts International.
In his new role, Tsai will lead Crown Perth’s remediation action plan and work with the newly appointed Independent Monitor, Paul Steel, to implement the recommendations of the Perth Casino Royal Commission earlier this year.
The appointment comes after private equity firm Blackstone pledged to “operate at the highest standards of compliance, governance, and integrity” following its takeover of Australian gaming group Crown Resorts Limited in July.
Crown investigations
In February 2021, Crown was deemed unsuitable to operate a casino in Barangaroo, Sydney, after an investigation uncovered evidence of money laundering in its facilities.
Later in the year, Crown was also ruled as unsuitable to operate a casino in Victoria, with an investigation ruling Crown had engaged in “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.
Crown Resorts CEO Ciarán Carruthers said: “David is well placed to lead Crown Perth through its next phase and steps into the role as CEO at a pivotal moment in its history. “David’s passion for instigating true cultural change will have an enormous effect and I look forward to working with him and the team at Crown Perth to create exceptional experiences for our guests in Western Australia.” Tsai added: “Across the industry, Crown Perth stands proud as a world-class property, with premium restaurants, luxury accommodation, and exceptional entertainment. “I am deeply committed to delivering on our reform and remediation plan and cultural transformation, and ensuring Crown achieves its ambition of becoming a world leader in the delivery of safe and responsible gaming and entertainment. “I’m privileged by the opportunity to lead our more than 6,000 team members at Crown Perth and share in their understanding and passion for creating exceptional experiences for our guests.”