Crown Melbourne Hit With $2 Million Fine For Self-Exclusion Failings

Crown Melbourne has been fined by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) which has levied a $2 million fine against the casino operator. The penalty stems from Crown’s failure to uphold its obligations in managing its self-exclusion program.

The VGCCC’s investigation revealed that over an 8-month period between October 2023 and May 2024, Crown Melbourne allowed 242 individuals who had previously self-excluded themselves from the casino to place bets.

According to the VGCCC, the breaches were attributed to systemic failures within Crown’s operations, rather than a deliberate disregard for the rules. The regulator noted that the casino had failed to implement effective measures to detect and prevent self-excluded individuals from accessing the gambling floor and placing bets.

Self-exclusion programs are a crucial component of the gambling industry’s efforts to mitigate the risks of problem gambling. By allowing individuals to voluntarily bar themselves from gambling venues, these initiatives empower those struggling with addiction to take control of their behaviour and seek the necessary support to overcome their challenges.

The VGCCC has directed Crown Melbourne to engage an independent expert to assess the effectiveness of its self-exclusion program and provide recommendations for improvement. This intervention aims to ensure that the casino operator addresses the systemic issues that led to the breaches and implements robust measures to protect vulnerable patrons.

The VGCCC Chair, Fran Thorn, emphasized the importance of gambling providers upholding their duty of care to protect individuals at risk of gambling-related harm. She stressed that self-excluded individuals must be able to trust that gambling operators will take all necessary steps to enforce their decision to avoid further harm.

In response to the VGCCC’s actions, Crown Melbourne has acknowledged the seriousness of the issue and expressed its commitment to ensuring a safe and responsible gaming environment. The casino operator has pledged to work closely with the regulator to address the shortcomings in its self-exclusion program and implement the independent expert’s recommendations.

The latest fine comes after Crown Melbourne’s casino license was placed on a two-year probation period, which ended in March of this year. During this probationary period, the VGCCC had previously imposed fines exceeding $250 million on the casino operator for various breaches. This latest incident suggests that the regulator’s scrutiny of Crown’s operations remains unwavering.