Casino Crown Melbourne reprimanded by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission in the most recent regulatory measure
In a recent development, the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has launched an investigation into Crown Melbourne, a prominent casino in Victoria, Australia. The investigation stems from breaches of pre-commitment obligations and instances of players exceeding their pre-determined limits.
The VGCCC has found that between December 2023 and August 2024, 22 customers at Crown Melbourne allowed to exceed their pre-determined limits, and another 10 customers used accounts not legally theirs at the casino during the same period. These accounts were registered in another person's name.
In response to these breaches, the VGCCC issued a censure to Crown Melbourne. Chris O'Neill, the Chair of the VGCCC, publicly rebuked the casino and warned that the breach was not a matter of regulatory record. In the instance of repeat offenses, the regulator would impose stricter measures.
O'Neill emphasised the importance of pre-commitment programs, stating that they empower people to make decisions about the amount of time and money they will spend before they start gambling. He explained that poker machines are high-risk, high-harm products, and pre-commitment programs are essential for managing gambling harm.
The VGCCC maintains that pre-commitment systems, when properly implemented, can favour consumers in terms of limiting gambling-related harm. The commission also believes that these systems are based on evidence and demonstrate the effectiveness of safer gambling measures.
It is worth noting that since December 2023, land-based venues in Victoria are required to use carded play and pre-commitment for poker machine gameplay. The VGCCC's investigation into Crown Melbourne's compliance with these obligations is ongoing.
The VGCCC has also fined QuestBet AU$80,000 earlier this month for failing to intervene in the case of customers who showed gambling-related harm. The commission stressed that it takes its regulatory duties seriously and will hold operators accountable for breaches of their obligations.
Crown Melbourne has cooperated fully with the VGCCC's investigation, and the commission has stated that the breaches found were isolated incidents and not the result of systematic breaches or oversights. The head of the VGCCC, who publicly rebuked and warned Crown Melbourne regarding breaches of pre-commitment obligations, is a senior official from the commission; however, the search results do not provide the specific name of this individual.
The VGCCC's actions serve as a reminder to all gambling operators in Victoria to prioritise consumer protection and to uphold their obligations under the law. The commission will continue to monitor compliance and take action when necessary to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Victoria's gambling consumers.
