大佬娛樂城 has been formally reprimanded by Victoria’s gambling watchdog for a series of violations involving mandatory harm minimisation rules on poker machines. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) determined that the operator breached state requirements by allowing some customers to continue gambling even after reaching their time or spending limits. Others were able to play using accounts that did not match their legal identities.
Breaches of Pre-Commitment Requirements
The issues took place between December 2023, when carded play and pre-commitment became compulsory at the casino, and mid-2024. Investigators found that 22 customers were permitted to keep using poker machines despite having already hit their preset limits. In addition, from December 23, 2023, to August 4, 2024, a further 10 patrons were able to gamble on machines with cards linked to YourPlay accounts not registered under their own names.
YourPlay, a government-run program designed to curb gambling-related harm, is installed on all poker machines in Victoria and is mandatory within the Melbourne casino. The system requires users to set binding limits on both time and money spent before play begins.
VGCCC Chair Chris O’Neill underscored the seriousness of the breaches in a public statement. “Poker machines are a high-risk, high-harm product, which is why we place so much emphasis on holding industry to account when they fail to honour their legal and social licenses to protect customers from gambling harm,” he said in the regulator’s press release. O’Neill added that research supports the effectiveness of well-designed pre-commitment systems with enforceable limits, making it crucial for casinos to fully comply.
Although no financial penalty was imposed, the Commission chose to issue a formal censure. In explaining the decision, regulators pointed to Crown’s cooperation during the investigation and evidence that suggested the breaches were isolated incidents. The VGCCC also noted remedial steps taken by the company, such as enhanced monitoring, the introduction of automated safeguards, and additional training for more than 200 staff members.
“This reprimand is now on Crown’s record, and we will not hesitate to take more serious disciplinary action in the future, should similar or further breaches occur,” O’Neill warned.
Crown itself acknowledged the problems, describing them as inadvertent errors in the rollout of what it called a “world-first safe gaming initiative.” A company spokesperson said, “The small number of inadvertent errors in the initial rollout of this world-first safe gaming initiative were isolated, promptly self-reported and addressed through rigorous remediation measures.”
Wider Context and Crown’s Compliance Record
The reprimand comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of the casino giant. Carded play and pre-commitment were made compulsory at Crown Melbourne in December 2023 following the state’s royal commission into Crown Resorts, which in 2021 found the company guilty of “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative” conduct.
Although Crown retained its Melbourne licence in 2024, it has been subject to strict oversight by a special monitor and has faced a series of penalties. Collectively, the company has already been fined $700 million for a range of earlier breaches, though no criminal charges were brought.
Crown, once owned by billionaire James Packer, was sold in 2022 to private equity group Blackstone in a deal worth $8.9 billion. The new ownership has since been under pressure to demonstrate compliance reforms and strengthen harm minimisation measures.
