The prominent Australian gaming venue, Crown Casino in Melbourne, is confronting significant repercussions for neglecting to safeguard its clientele from the dangers of gambling.
A recent inquiry uncovered that Crown disregarded its duty to observe and engage with potentially numerous patrons exhibiting indications of compulsive gambling. This constitutes a grave violation of their legal and moral responsibilities.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) is treating this situation with utmost seriousness. They are contemplating a variety of punitive measures against Crown, encompassing substantial financial penalties potentially reaching $68.5 million USD. Furthermore, they might implement limitations on Crown’s operational permit or even issue a public censure while demanding remedial actions.
VGCCC Chair, Fran Thorn, stressed the critical significance of ethical gaming practices, asserting that safeguarding susceptible patrons is non-negotiable. The distressing accounts of individuals induced to gamble beyond their financial capacity, as disclosed during the inquiry, underscore the ruinous consequences of Crown’s shortcomings.
The gaming authority in Victoria is heavily invested in addressing the Royal Commission’s apprehensions regarding Crown Resorts. They are resolute in ensuring Crown rectifies its practices concerning ethical gaming and adheres to legal statutes. This action follows an $80 million penalty levied against Crown in May 2022 for permitting patrons to utilize Chinese banking cards, thus breaching Chinese monetary regulations.
