VGCCC investigates Crown Melbourne’s responsible gambling

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has opened new disciplinary proceedings against Crown Melbourne Limited, a company owned by Crown Resorts. The new regulatory rules in New South Wales came into effect on Friday as confirmed by the VGCCC which now will launch such proceedings even if one instance of wrongdoing is detected.

Previously, the Liquor and Gaming Authority was charged with overseeing both the liquor and gambling industries, leading to some failings and shortcomings in regulations. The VGCCC is a new watchdog, though, which will make sure that licensees in the gambling industry in the state live up to the expected standard.

As a result, VGCCC is taking a closer look at Crown Melbourne’s Responsible Services of Gambling obligations. The regulator is acting on information discovered by the Royal Commission which identified breaches of the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct. The revelations point out to a systematic pattern that overlooked hundreds or even thousands of possible problem gamblers who showed signs of risky behavior or excessive gambling.

To address this properly, the VGCCC demanded further information from Crown on Monday. Moving forward, the regulator will take a closer look at the information that it has been offered and assess whether sufficient safeguards were in place at the time referenced by the Royal Commission.

Crown Melbourne can expect to deal with the new regulator for the foreseeable future, as the VGCCC will be keen to send a strong message that no transgression past, present, or future will go unpunished. Under the new laws and powers vested into the regulator, the VGCC can choose to act in one or more of several ways, including issuing a penalty worth AU$100m, making changes to the license status or censuring Crown and requesting changes to the way the Responsible Gambling policies are run at the casino.

VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn offered an insight into the case. Thorn said that the casino’s commitment to responsible gambling is an important prerequisite to holding a casino license in the first place. As such, a licensee holder must do its best to protect vulnerable patrons.

"We heard many distressing stories at the Royal Commission of vulnerable patrons being encouraged to gamble beyond their means," Thorn continued. As a result, the VGCCC is keen to demonstrate its determination in making sure that all licensees uphold safe and responsible gambling practices to make gambling in New South Wales safer for all.

Right now, the VGCCC is going to need technical time to ensure that it has processed the information before it can reach a conclusion and deliver a ruling.

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