Howlett has been appointed to a four-year tenure with the New South Wales (NSW) casino regulatory body, taking over from Craig Sahlin, who served as a commissioner for two years after a prior stint on the board of the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA).
Known for her leadership in resolving issues at Crown Melbourne, Howlett managed the remediation efforts that followed the Royal Commission inquiry into the venue. This inquiry, led by Ray Finkelstein, proposed 33 recommendations to the government, which were subsequently adopted after the report deemed the operator unfit for a casino license in Victoria.
Before her time at Crown, Howlett held senior positions with the Victoria Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission. Her career also includes roles at the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants, and the National Crime Authority.
### Howlett to Oversee Star Sydney’s Remediation
The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC), established in 2022, serves as the independent statutory body regulating Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney casinos. Howlett joins NICC as The Star embarks on its own remediation journey.
The Star was already undergoing remediation after the first Bell inquiry in 2022 when Bell Two commenced in February. The second inquiry resulted in The Star receiving a fine but retaining its license, provided it implements necessary changes.
NSW’s minister for gaming and racing, David Harris, remarked, “A thorough selection process led to Howlett’s appointment. Her broad skillset and relevant experience in independently overseeing Crown Melbourne’s remediation efforts make her a valuable asset to the NICC. She joins at a pivotal moment as The Star continues its remediation following Bell Two.”
Philip Crawford, NICC’s chief commissioner, added, “Christine’s expertise will enhance the NICC’s ability to expand surveillance and data collection, strengthening monitoring of financial crime risks and compliance. Her skills in internal capacity building will help the NICC maintain strong regulatory oversight beyond the remediation and suitability phases, ensuring sustainable operations in the long term.”