The Australian gaming behemoth, Crown Resorts, faces a substantial penalty of $30 million AUD (equivalent to $19.8 million USD) for employing empty checks to simplify wagering. This incident marks a recurring pattern of trouble for Crown.
Allegations against the firm include permitting customers to utilize these void checks, amounting to over $15 billion AUD, for gambling purposes and facilitating unlawful gaming operations. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) approximates that this scheme, which furnished gamblers with an inequitable line of credit, generated between $30 million and $70 million AUD in profits for Crown over two decades.
This recent sanction follows an $80 million fine imposed on Crown the previous year, narrowly averting the revocation of its license for its prominent Melbourne casino. A scathing eight-month royal inquiry exposed a history of misconduct so egregious that it deemed Crown unsuitable to manage the establishment.
Further compounding their difficulties, Crown experienced a data security breach earlier this year, exacerbating their already tarnished standing.
Although Crown has acknowledged the accusations and committed to enforcing more stringent measures to prevent future wrongdoings, the repercussions are undeniable. This latest penalty delivers another setback to the company already grappling with the consequences of its past offenses, including an $80 million fine in 2022 for illicit activities between 2012 and 2016 and a separate $1.2 million sanction.
In the year 2022, Crown Casino faced repercussions for neglecting its obligations to responsible gaming practices. Currently, the organization may be facing a substantial financial penalty of up to 30 million Australian dollars – a significant sum of money!
This development adds to the pressure on Crown’s management, who are already under intense scrutiny. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) is closely monitoring the matter and has firmly stated that Crown will be held responsible. They are resolute in their commitment to holding the casino accountable and preventing any attempts to conceal misconduct.