By Peta Carlyon, ABC News
The lavish world of Melbourne’s Crown Casino high rollers has been revealed during the committal hearing of a Sydney gambler accused of dealing in the proceeds of crime.
Gambler Pete Hoang is facing proceeds of crime charges. (ABC News)
Sydney man Pete Hoang was arrested in the casino’s toilets by Australian Federal Police in October 2012.
The 36-year-old was charged with dealing in the proceeds of crime, in the form of millions of dollars of unsourced money spent on gaming.
In the Melbourne Magistrates Court, Crown VIP host Jennifer Nguyen said Hoang was a valued customer and the casino paid for the high roller and his friends to fly business class from Sydney to Melbourne to gamble.
She told the court the exercise was “not cheap”, with the casino also supplying the VIPs a villa in Crown Towers, as well as thousands of dollars in commissions for Hoang in return for the millions he turned over at Crown.
Interstate patrons were required to sign an agreement to specify their program and the percentage of their commission from the money turnover.
The court heard Hoang received $6,500 for every $1 million he turned over at Crown.
He and his friends also received complimentary alcohol and food.
Ms Nguyen told the court she was on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to host between 40 and 60 VIP patrons at the casino.
She said Hoang was one of the “biggest” baccarat players from interstate and “probably one of the best patrons from Sydney”, and she was shocked when he was arrested.
Read the full story by Peta Carlyon from ABC News.
