AUSTRALIAN CASINO REGULATION
which involved: •
• issue a letter of censure drawing attention to any contraventions, which may include a direction for Crown Melbourne to take steps to rectify those contraventions. To date, the VGCCC has imposed the following fines on Crown Melbourne: • one fine of AU$80 million for the China Union Pay process; and • two fines totalling AU$120 million for failing its Responsible Services of Gambling Obligation. There has not yet been any outcome in respect of the disciplinary action relating to Crown Melbourne’s “bank and blank cheques practices”. The VGCCC has indicated that it is considering further the findings of the Victorian Royal Commission. There is a risk that further disciplinary action could be taken by the VGCCC against Crown Melbourne in connection with the findings of the Victorian Royal Commission, leading to the possibility that further penalties (including fines) will be imposed. AUSTRAC: On 1 March 2022, AUSTRAC commenced proceedings against Crown Melbourne and Crown Perth for breaches of the Anti- Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (AML/CTF Act).
the exchange of a bank cheque (payable to a customer) for gambling chips valued at the face value of the cheque; and • the exchange of a blank cheque (payable to Crown Melbourne) for chips used to gamble at Crown Melbourne. The VGCCC initiated disciplinary proceedings against Crown Melbourne in connection with each of the above findings of the Victorian Royal Commission on the basis that: • the “China Union Pay process” breached Sections 68(2) (c) and 124(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991 (Vic) (the CCA); • the responsible services of gambling obligation failure breached Section 20(1)(dc) of the CCA; and • the “bank and blank cheques practices” breached Section 68 of the CCA. Under the CCA (which was amended following the Victorian Royal Commission), the VGCCC has the power to take the following disciplinary action against Crown Melbourne (including on a retrospective basis): • imposition of a fine (up to a maximum of AU$100 million); • cancel, suspend or vary the terms of Crown Melbourne’s casino licence; and/or
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IMGL MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2023
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