Crown Melbourne fined $1.3 million for allowing 242 self-excluded players to gamble

Crown Melbourne has been fined AU$2 million ($1.3 million) by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allowing 242 self-excluded individuals to place bets over an eight-month period, in breach of the state's Casino Control Act.

The breaches, which occurred between October 2023 and May 2024, were the result of system failures rather than deliberate non-compliance, according to the VGCCC. Under the Casino Control Act 1991, it is illegal for casinos to permit self-excluded individuals to enter or gamble on their premises.

VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said the fine was necessary to protect vulnerable individuals. “Those who self-exclude must be able to trust that gambling providers will take all reasonable steps to enforce their decision to avail themselves of this harm prevention initiative,” Thorn said.

The VGCCC’s investigation revealed that the self-excluded patrons were able to gamble on 451 occasions, with some remaining on the premises for up to 10 hours and gambling as many as 27 times in a single visit. The commission expressed concerns about Crown’s failure to detect and remove these individuals promptly, raising questions about the adequacy of the casino’s monitoring systems.

Crown Melbourne has been ordered to hire an independent expert to assess and recommend improvements to its self-exclusion program. The casino operator has also implemented measures to strengthen its monitoring systems, but gaps remain.

Crown's history of regulatory breaches extends beyond this incident. In 2022, the VGCCC fined Crown AU$120 million for failing to meet its responsible gambling obligations, and a 2021 Royal Commission inquiry raised serious concerns about its operations. Despite these issues, Crown retains its license in Victoria, though the VGCCC continues to monitor its reform efforts.

The VGCCC said it remains committed to ensuring that Crown’s self-exclusion systems are improved to prevent further risks. Thorn added: “By allowing people who have self-excluded to enter the casino and gamble, Crown has put them at risk of experiencing further gambling harm.”