On May 4, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), the Victorian gambling regulator, issued an order to Melbourne-based Crown Casino to secure that each of its Victorian electronic gaming machine has marked play and spend limits.

Furthermore, the order must be applied by December 2023.

Anti-money laundering measure:

The order means that every game played on electronic machines at the Crown Casino will be tied to a person’s identity via their gaming card, which, according to the Commission, is planned as an anti-money laundering measure.

However, patrons are also required to pledge to a spending limit and a limited time on the machine before beginning the game.

The Commission praised the casino for promising to move unlimited gaming machines from the general areas and remove all machines that permit continuous play and restrict credits to $1000 per machine.

In this regard, Commission president, Fran Thorn, said: “The Commission will carefully monitor how the measures were implemented.”

In addition, Crown Melbourne CEO Mike Volkert, said: “The changes would significantly enhance the company’s ability to prevent and reduce gambling harm.

“These industry-leading reforms are an essential part of Crown’s ambition to be a world leader in safe and responsible gambling and entertainment.” 

The order comes a week after the casino was fined $30 million. The reason for the fine is that it allowed gamblers to deposit self-isssued bank checks, violating problem gambling and money laundering controls.

Furthermore, in 2022 the casino was hit with several fines totaling $200 million for violating its responsible gambling services standards and allowing players to illegally use their credit cards to access funds.

About:

Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex is a mega-resort located on the south bank of the Yarra River, in Melbourne, Australia. The complex is owned by Crown Limited. The temporary casino opened in 1994 and the full service casino and resort opened in 1997. The casino floor itself is approximately 220,000 square feet with the entire built out complex covering 510,000 square meters making it the largest casino complex in the southern hemisphere and one of the largest gambling entertainment complexes in the world.

Visitors have a choice between three hotels on the estate with a total of over 1,600 guest rooms, suites and villas. Throughout the complex there are currently 37 restaurants including 12 premium establishments, 15 casual dining options and a food court with 10 vendors.

Additional amenities and facilities include the Crown Conference Centre at Crown Promenade Hotel, swimming pools, two spas, several live entertainment venues including The Palms at Crown concert hall, several lobby lounges, 3 nightclubs and 15 bars. There are 13 cinema theaters, a King Pin bowling center, an interactive game arcade and retail shopping center. Children under the age of 18 are allowed into the entertainment and shopping sections.