Victoria’s new gaming regulator has commenced a third round of disciplinary proceedings against Crown Melbourne, this time in relation to the company’s bank and blank cheques practices.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced Thursday that it has issued a notice to Crown compelling it to provide relevant information in relation to practices uncovered during the Royal Commission into the Melbourne casino. These practices included exchanging a bank cheque to which the patron was the payee for gambling chips valued at the face value of the cheque, and permitting patrons to exchange blank cheques made payable to Crown in exchange for chips used to gamble.
Upon reviewing the evidence, disciplinary action to be administered by the VGCC could include a fine of up to AU$100 million (US$68 million), varying the casino license or directing Crown to take certain steps.
The regulator has already issued one fine of AU$80 million (US$54 million) to Crown Melbourne for its illegal use of China Union Pay cards for gambling transactions and also commenced disciplinary proceedings in July targeting failures in Crown’s responsible gambling approach.
“The Casino Control Act establishes restrictions on Crown’s financial interactions with its patrons,” said VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn of this latest action.
“These restrictions are vital because they protect patrons from gambling beyond their means and guard the Melbourne Casino against criminal influence and exploitation.
“The Royal Commission found that Crown adopted practices involving the use of blank cheques and bank cheques that breached these important restrictions.”
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