The NSW Independent Liquor & Authority has fined The Star Sydney a total of AU$90,000 (US$65,000) over three cases of children gambling and being served alcohol, including one incident where a 12-year-old girl was found to have played poker (slot) machines for 17 minutes.
According to information released by the Authority on Friday, the family had been visiting from mainland China on tourist visas during the first half of 2019 when the girl’s mother snuck her past security by opening an exit door as patrons came out, then guiding her on to the main gaming floor.
Once inside, they met up with the girl’s father and, over the course of 17 minutes, allowed the girl to place 21 bets on several poker machines. The family was eventually intercepted by security as they were leaving the casino.
“It’s quite staggering that the young girl’s parents facilitated her entry in such a deceptive manner, let alone allowed their daughter to gamble,” said NSW Independent Liquor & Authority Chair, Philip Crawford.
The Star Sydney was fined AU$60,000 for that breach due to the time it took to detect the incident, and another AU$30,000 for two incidents in which a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old gained entry and were served alcohol.
The Star self-reported the three incidents, the Authority said, which occurred over a four-month period from March to July 2019.
It added that The Star reported a total of 32 instances of minors gaining access to restricted areas of the casino in 2019 compared with 35 instances in 2018.
RelatedPosts
