The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) announced on Wednesday that Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney have been fined a total of AU$2.25 million (US$1.61 million) after a 16-year-old minor gained entry to their gaming floors using fake identification.
From April to August 2025, the teenager accessed Crown Sydney 19 times, achieving silver membership status and was served complimentary alcoholic beverages despite being underage. Additionally, the same individual visited The Star Sydney three times during this period. Investigations revealed that both casinos failed to detect the fraudulent identification, which allowed the minor illegal access to gambling areas.
Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) conducted an investigation into the violations and subsequently forwarded the findings to the NICC. The investigation confirmed that the underage visitor utilized a counterfeit driver’s licence to bypass identity verification at both casinos.
As part of the penalties, Crown Sydney was fined AU$1.75 million, while The Star Sydney received a AU$500,000 fine. NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford expressed that these breaches represented “significant failures” and underscored the seriousness of permitting a 16-year-old to enter gambling areas. He noted additional infractions at Crown Sydney, including the provision of complimentary alcohol to the minor.
Crawford stated, “Maintaining effective identity verification processes is not only a necessary tool in the protection of minors but for detecting fraud and criminal activity in NSW casinos.” The NICC asserted that the fines serve as both punishment and a cautionary message to the broader industry regarding stringent compliance with age restrictions and identification protocols.
L&GNSW’s Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Dimitri Argeres, described the breach as a critical “breakdown in safeguards” that compromised the safety of a vulnerable young person. He reiterated L&GNSW’s commitment to monitoring casino adherence to internal controls and requirements vital for maintaining the integrity of casino operations in New South Wales.
Under the Casino Control Act 1992, the NICC has extensive powers, allowing for fines of up to AU$100 million for severe breaches. Furthermore, L&GNSW has imposed a five-year ban on the minor from attending either Crown Sydney or The Star Sydney, effective until the individual turns 18.
This fine comes shortly after The Star Sydney had its licence suspended due to strict oversight of its operations, with the suspension extended following an inquiry that deemed the venue unsuitable for operation due to failures in addressing previous issues.
