The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has announced that it has fined Crown Casino Melbourne a total of AU$120 million (€77.6 million) following an investigation which uncovered serious social responsibility breaches at the casino property.
In one instance a player was allowed to gamble for 24 hours without breaks
According to its report, the Commission found that Crown:
- Consistently failed to intervene to prevent gambling harm by allowing customers to gamble for prolonged periods without a break. This was believed to have been allowed to happen for many years.
- Breached regulations by allowing patrons to use plastic picks and other objects to allow ‘automatic play’ when gambling on certain electronic gaming machines (pokies).
Speaking of the fine, Chairperson Fran Thorn said:
“At the Royal Commission, Crown accepted the Responsible Service of Gambling as both a legal obligation and a condition of its social licence to operate. For a long time, Crown failed in its legal and moral obligation to ensure it provided its gambling products and services in a manner which minimised potential harm to its patrons, their families, friends and communities.
The record fines totalling $120 million that we have imposed on Crown today will send a powerful message to Crown that the Commission will not tolerate misconduct that exposes our community to increased risks of gambling related harm. These were not isolated breaches. They were part of a pattern of extensive, sustained and systemic failures by Crown that spanned roughly 12 years.
We urge all gambling licence holders to read this decision. This disciplinary action also sounds a warning to all in the Victorian gambling industry that we expect them to do everything they can to minimise the harmful impacts of gambling. The Commission will be resolute in pursuing our new requirement to regulate for harm minimisation, and the industry can expect further action from the Commission on this matter.”
This is the second time that Crown has been issued with a record fine by the VGCCC. Earlier this year, the Commission fined the company AU$80 million (€53.4 million) for the infamous China Union Pay Process scheme. This brings the total fines issued to the company to AU$200 million (€129.38 million).
The VGCCC has also noted that it is considering taking further disciplinary action against Crown related to other findings of its investigation.
Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.