Victorian Royal Commission into Crown Resorts begins

The inquiry into Crown Resorts' Victorian operations is underway.

Last month the Victorian government announced it would launch a probe into the casino giant following allegations of money laundering in a damning New South Wales inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin.

Today the Royal Commission formally started its work, headed by former Federal Court Judge Ray Finkelstein.

The opening session heard that Crown does not accept the New South Wales finding that it "wilfully facilitated money laundering" at its Melbourne site on Southbank.

But Commissioner Finkelstein said it was not in the public interest to go over the same ground as the New South Wales Bergin Report, which found Crown had facilitated money laundering through its Melbourne and Perth accounts.

It also stated the gaming giant disregarded the safety of its employees in China, and entered into or continued relationships with junket operators linked to triads and other organised crime groups.

Commissioner Finkelstein put those findings to Crown, describing its response as equivocal.

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"The aspect of the findings to which objection seems to be taken, goes to the deliberateness or wilfulness of the conduct concerned," he said.

Instead, the former judge will seek to examine other areas to determine whether Crown should be allowed to continue operating the Melbourne gaming venue.

Firstly, whether money laundering is taking place at the Melbourne casino.

Second, whether Crown Melbourne is in breach of other legislation or regulations that govern the conduct of its casino operations.

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Third, whether Crown Melbourne is in breach of any contractual obligations under the various agreements with the state.

And finally, the inquiry will closely examine the manner in which it deals with gambling addiction.

Gambling accounts for 12 per cent of Victoria's state-based taxation income.

Premier Daniel Andrews has said he's prepared to rip up Crown's licence if the Royal Commission makes adverse findings.

The $10 million inquiry is due to report back by August.