The New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has imposed fines totaling AU$2.25 million (US$1.61 million) on Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney due to a 16-year-old repeatedly using fake identification to gain access to their gaming floors.
Between April and August 2025, the teenager entered Crown Sydney on 19 occasions, achieving silver membership and receiving complimentary alcohol despite being underage. Additionally, the minor accessed The Star Sydney three times in the same period. Investigations revealed that both venues failed to correctly identify the young visitor's fraudulent documents, allowing them to enter restricted gambling areas illegally.
Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) investigated the matter and forwarded the findings to the NICC. It confirmed that the underage attendee employed a counterfeit driver’s license to evade identity checks at both casinos.
Crown Sydney bore the brunt of the financial penalty, receiving a fine of AU$1.75 million, while The Star Sydney was fined AU$500,000. NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford condemned the incidents as "significant failures," stressing the seriousness of permitting a minor into gaming areas, particularly highlighting additional violations at Crown Sydney related to serving complimentary alcohol to the teen.
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 warned these penalties serve both as punishment and a cautionary message to the broader industry regarding adherence to age restrictions and verification protocols.
Dimitri Argeres, executive director of regulatory operations at L&GNSW, described the situation as a severe "breakdown in safeguards," which endangered a vulnerable young person. L&GNSW plans to continue monitoring casino compliance with internal controls and the integrity of casino operations in New South Wales.
Under the Casino Control Act 1992, NICC has the power to impose fines of up to AU$100 million for serious violations. Concurrently, L&GNSW has issued a five-year ban on the minor from accessing either Crown Sydney or The Star Sydney, effective upon their 18th birthday.
This ruling follows the recent suspension of The Star Sydney’s license amid ongoing scrutiny of its operations, which was further extended after inquiries deemed the venue unsuitable for operation due to its failure to rectify earlier issues.
