Inside Asian Gaming has long warned that one of the inevitable impacts of over-regulation is a concomitant increase in illegal (or underground if you prefer) casinos, and it seems Australia is quickly learning that lesson.
On Wednesday, Western Australia’s Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) went public with the news that in April last year, acting under the authority of the Gaming and Wagering Commission (GWC), it had busted two illegal gaming houses suspected of operating without a licence or permit.
The case is particularly notable because the illegal operations in question apparently involve three employees of Crown Perth, who have since had their casino employee licences cancelled by the GWC.
A Crown spokesperson told AAP, “We can confirm the team members are no longer working at Crown.” No surprise there!
According to the DLGSC, infringement notices were issued to several people who were allegedly playing and wagering in an unlawful game, while one of four alleged organizers, a 35-year-old man, has been charged with a money and property laundering offence by WA Police, with the matter currently before the Courts.
Cash totalling AU$128,615 (US$83,380), a baccarat table cover, gaming chips, playing cards and other items were reportedly seized during the raid.
DLGSC says they carried out a second search warrant, along with GWC and WA Police officers, who raided a home where 16 people were present. According to DLGSC cash amounting to AU$60,720 (US$39,365), gaming chips and documents were seized, and investigations are continuing.
DLGSC said, “Organizers and participants of unlicensed gaming events are now on notice that their activities will be investigated, and action taken.”
This is far from the first such operation to be uncovered in recent times, with IAG reporting last year on a similar raid in Melbourne that uncovered an illegal poker room.
Our take: with various Australian jurisdictions trying to one-up each other in regulatory enforcement on legal gaming operations to show how “tough on gambling” they are, expect to see illegal gambling flourishing more and more in The Lucky Country!
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