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Crown Melbourne Ltd has held the single statewide licence to operate the Melbourne casino since November 1993. While the licence runs until 2050, a decision on Crown’s suitability to retain this licence will be made in early 2024.
Below is a high-level summary of what Crown Melbourne can and must do, and what our regulatory role is.
Operate a maximum of 2,628 gaming machines, 440 gaming tables and 100 poker tables within approved boundaries at the casino.
See the Casino licence
Seek approval for any individuals or entities involved in conducting its business and ensure relevant employees hold current casino special employee licences.
Have and comply with a Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct, as per the Ministerial Direction (PDF, 470.79 KB).
Implement an approved system of internal controls to ensure integrity of operations.
Submit a wide range of documents to us, including audit programs, financial statements, budget, expenditure and more, for the purpose of ongoing monitoring and audits.
Conduct its operations in accordance with the best operating practices in casinos of a similar size and nature.
For more detail, see the Casino agreement, and relevant laws and regulations
If you believe Crown Melbourne is breaching its licence or the law, or you have concerns about the casino’s operation, contact us.
Provide on-site inspectors on duty 24/7 to monitor compliance with Victorian laws and regulations and the casino licence.
Monitor and audit Crown’s implementation of approved internal controls.
Undertake audits and investigations, and take appropriate regulatory action where breaches are found. We closely work with other agencies such as Austrac, the Australian Federal Police and Victoria Police on potential criminal matters, such as money laundering and organised crime.
Approve proposed associates of the casino operator and license casino special employees.
Approve all new games, rules, and equipment used for gambling, and audit all equipment to ensure it is functioning properly.
Administer and audit payment of casino taxes.
Thoroughly review Crown’s operations at regular intervals to determine their continued suitability to hold the casino licence.
Our powers to monitor and take action against the casino operator were significantly enhanced in the Casino Legislation Amendment (RC Implementation and Other Matters) Act 2022 after the 2021 Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence.
Most notably, this increased the maximum fine against Crown from $1 million to $100 million and established the Office of the Special Manager for the Melbourne Casino Operator to monitor Crown operations.
The Special Manager must submit 3 interim reports to the Minister and to us and, by mid-January 2024, a final report detailing its opinion on the progress made by Crown Melbourne in implementing the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
Within 90 days of receiving the Special Manager’s final report, the Commission will make a decision on whether Crown Melbourne is suitable to continue to hold its licence. If the Commission is not ‘clearly satisfied’, its licence will be cancelled.
