The Victorian gambling regulatory body has ordered Crown Resorts to make sure it introduces spending limits and carded play to all of its electronic gaming machines in the state by the end of 2023.
The regulator’s order basically means that all games available on electronic gaming machines at Crown Melbourne will be linked to a person’s identity through casino patrons’ gaming cards. The measure has been unveiled as part of the Victorian gambling watchdog’s efforts to tackle money-laundering schemes in the state. As part of the order, the Australian gambling giant’s Melbourne casino customers will also have to commit to a certain spending and time limit on the machine before they are allowed to play.
In addition, while the use of the YourPlay system is set to remain voluntary at other gambling venues, the patrons of Crown Melbourne casino will not be allowed to continue playing once they reach their pre-set time and spending limits.
The formal direction was issued by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) to Crown Resorts, with the requirements required to be implemented by December this year. Fran Thorn, the watchdog’s chair, shared that the Commission would carefully monitor how the aforementioned measures were enacted by the company. As Ms Thorn noted, the regulator remains devoted to minimising gambling-related harm and reducing the risk of violating the state’s money laundering rules by going above and beyond the recommendations made by the Royal Commission earlier.
Crown Resorts Praises to Bring Changes to Unrestricted Gambling Machines in Melbourne Casino
Crown Resorts was officially praised by the regulatory body for making a promise to bring changes to unrestricted gambling terminals and eliminate the machines from general areas. The gambling operator also pledged to remove all electronic gaming machines that allow continuous play and implement credit limits of AU$1,000 on a single machine.
The Victorian gambling regulator’s order comes only one week after Crown Resorts faced an AU$30-million fine after an investigation found that its casino venue in Melbourne had breached the state’s problem gambling and anti-money laundering laws by allowing patrons to deposit bank cheques made out to themselves.
That has been the latest blow to the Australian gambling giant which in 2022 was hit by fines estimated at a total of AU$200 million for violating its responsible gambling standards and allowing customers to illegally use their credit cards to fund gambling transactions.
After receiving the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commision’s formal direction, the chief executive officer of Crown Melbourne, Mike Volkert, shared that the aforementioned changes would significantly boost the casino operator’s ability to prevent and reduce gambling-related harm. He also described the reforms as an important part of Crown Resorts’ ambition to become a world leader in safe and responsible gambling and entertainment.
- Author
Olivia Cole
