Crown Melbourne Granted Two-Year Extension for Key Gambling Reform

Extended Deadline for Mandatory Card Play at Crown Melbourne

The Victorian government has decided to extend the deadline for Crown Melbourne to implement mandatory card play across all table games by two years, moving the cutoff date to December 2027. This move has reignited public discussions regarding the government’s commitment to gambling reforms and combating money laundering within the casino sector.

Reasoning Behind the Extension and Government’s Position

This reform originated from recommendations made during the 2021 Royal Commission, which investigated Crown’s operations. The goal is to replace cash transactions at table games with a system requiring players to use registered accounts, allowing better monitoring of gaming activities and preventing illicit funds from entering the casino environment.

Government representatives explained that the extension was necessary due to ongoing development delays with the technology that supports cashless betting at traditional tables. Moreover, Crown has expressed concerns that adhering to the initial deadline could have led to significant job losses, with internal reports warning that up to 1,200 positions might be affected if some areas needed to be closed.

Criticism from Gambling Reform Advocates and Political Reactions

Advocates against gambling-related harm have strongly criticized the delay, accusing the government of backtracking on its promises to regulate the industry effectively. The Alliance for Gambling Reform labeled the extension a step backward, emphasizing the risks it poses in addressing money laundering and protecting vulnerable players. Additionally, some members of the Labor Party have voiced unease about the decision, suggesting it conflicts with their proposed plans for reform.

Crown’s Progress and the Casino’s Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Crown officials maintain that progress is ongoing. The casino has already introduced mandatory card use on all slot machines and plans to extend this system to electronic table games in the near future. A Crown spokesperson described the Melbourne property as a global frontrunner in responsible gaming, highlighting recent introductions such as preset limits on loss and session time for poker machines.

This development comes a little over a year after Crown regained its casino license following major internal reforms prompted by the Royal Commission’s findings of widespread misconduct. The commission revealed systemic issues including shortfalls in tax payments, aiding illegal money transfers, and exploiting problem gamblers.

Concerns Over Broader Gambling Reforms in Victoria

Critics also point to shortcomings in the state’s broader gambling strategies. For example, pubs and clubs in Melbourne and Ballarat are set to trial mandatory card play starting next month. However, the absence of compulsory loss limits in this program caused the Alliance for Gambling Reform to withdraw their support for it.

The legislative bill formalizing Crown’s extended timeline is currently under parliamentary review. Opposition leaders have yet to declare their stance, leaving the eventual outcome uncertain as discussions about Crown’s regulation continue.