NSW Launches Compliance Operation to Keep Minors Out of Casinos

Liquor & Gaming New South Wales (L&GNSW) has intensified a targeted compliance initiative to prevent those under 18 from entering, gambling, or consuming alcohol in casinos in the Australian state. The efforts align with the increased traffic in gambling establishments during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The initiative seeks to underscore the state’s stringent regulations around underage gambling and confirms serious consequences for those implicated. Dimitr Argeres, L&GNSW Regulatory Operations Acting Executive Director, reiterated the importance of inspectors and security personnel cooperating to enforce these laws: “This is a critical time of the year when we see an increase in people visiting casinos, and it’s essential that minors are not among them.”

Consequences for Involved Parties

Minors found gambling and drinking alcohol in casinos are fined up to AU$ 4,400 and banned from accessing casinos for one year once they are of legal age. Using fraudulent identification risks additional penalties. Also, they must forfeit illegal gambling winnings.

The compliance operation also penalizes casino operators who do not uphold the legal obligation of ensuring minors do not access their products. Thorough training of casino staff, rigorous ID checks, and other measures to identify underage visitors are legal requirements.

Mr. Argeres explained, “This operation focuses on holding individuals accountable and ensuring casinos meet their legal obligations. Staff training, rigorous ID checks, and robust security measures are essential to preventing underage access.”

Laws Governing Casino Access

New South Wales has clear laws that indicate casinos are only accessible to anyone over 18 years old. Minors cannot enter a casino using fake identification, gamble, or consume alcohol on the premises. The consequences are even harsher for restricted persons who breach casino access limits, including fines as high as AU$ 5,500, up to a year in prison, or both.

Recent high-profile cases of underage casino access inspired the crackdown. In one instance, a 17-year-old entered a casino using a fake ID and wasn’t caught for an hour. The minor was fined, and the casino operator had to pay an AU$ 25,000 penalty.

Safe and Lawful Gaming Efforts

Compliance enforcement within the casino sector by the L&GNSW goes beyond the holiday season. The commission aims to create sustainable relationships between regulatory bodies and operators to foster a safe gambling environment. These efforts strengthen long-term oversight and acceptance of responsible gambling measures across New South Whales.