The illustrious Australian gaming titan, Crown Casino, has been hit with an unprecedented $120 million penalty for its flagrant disregard of responsible gaming protocols at its primary Melbourne venue. This historic sanction, the largest ever levied against an Australian gaming entity, arrives amidst escalating scrutiny of the sector and allegations that regulatory bodies have been excessively tolerant in tackling misconduct.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission determined Crown egregiously negligent in deterring patrons from wagering for protracted durations, occasionally surpassing 24 consecutive hours. Moreover, the casino neglected to prevent customers from utilizing plastic tools to manipulate electronic gaming devices. These transgressions, far from being isolated occurrences, were deemed components of a systemic pattern of misconduct spanning over a decade, as disclosed by a Royal Commission investigation.

The inquiry, spearheaded by Commissioner Fran Thorn, exposed distressing accounts of financial devastation, suicide attempts, and families shattered due to unmitigated gambling dependence. Individuals recounted wagering for days without respite, resorting to larceny to sustain their compulsion, and ultimately forfeiting everything. This damning testimony depicted a bleak portrait of Crown’s negligence and its ruinous consequences for susceptible individuals.

Simultaneously, in the land down under, gaming behemoth Star Entertainment finds itself embroiled in a regulatory struggle with the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC). Allegations have surfaced, accusing them of disregarding money laundering activities and associating with highly dubious individuals – picture syndicates involved in organized crime.