Australian casinos fined for allowing minor to gamble

Two major casinos in New South Wales, Australia, have been fined for failing to prevent a minor from gambling. The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) issued an AUD 1.75 million fine to Crown Sydney after determining the venue allowed a 16-year-old boy to gamble at least 19 times.

The teenager reportedly used a fake ID to bypass security and was provided with complimentary alcohol. During his visits, he accumulated enough points to reach Silver Tier status in the Crown Rewards program. The Star Sydney was also fined AUD 500,000 for allowing the same minor to gamble on at least three occasions.

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford stated that both casinos accepted responsibility for significant failures in their identity verification and customer onboarding processes. Crown Resorts reportedly brought the issue to the attention of the NICC.