Victoria’s gambling watchdog, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), has formally censured Crown Melbourne for failing to enforce mandatory pre-commitment limits. The violations occurred at the Melbourne casino’s poker machine facilities between December 2023 and July 2024, soon after the enforcement of the new “YourPlay” system.

Breach Details

• 22 instances were identified where players continued using poker machines after exceeding their self-imposed time or spending limits.

• An additional 10 customers were found playing using YourPlay-linked cards registered under names not legally belonging to them, between December 2023 and August 2024.
   

Regulator’s Statement

VGCCC Chair Chris O’Neill emphasized the risks posed by poker machines and the importance of pre-commitment systems in harm prevention:

“Poker machines are a high-risk, high-harm product ... Pre-commitment programs empower people to manage their gambling by making decisions, before they start gambling, about the amount of time and money they will spend.”
“This reprimand is now on Crown’s record, and we will not hesitate to take more serious disciplinary action in the future, should similar or further breaches occur.”

Crown Melbourne’s Response

The casino cooperated with the investigation and demonstrated that the breaches were limited and isolated. It has since implemented remedial actions including:

• Enhanced monitoring systems

• Staff training refreshers

• Implementation of automated safeguards and welfare checks across its poker machine operations
   

Context & Regulatory Background

In December 2023, the VGCCC mandated that Crown implement the YourPlay pre-commitment system and carded play at all its poker machines, requiring players to set time and/or spending limits before playing. Under these rules, players must cease play immediately upon hitting those limits.