Crown fined for cashing bank cards

A fine of US$57.4m has been imposed on Australian casino operator Crown Resorts for illegally accepting Chinese bank cards at its Melbourne venue.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission made the ruling yesterday, stating that the transactions were falsely classified as hotel services. Australian casinos are banned from accepting bank cards to help deter money laundering.

Crown has acknowledged its “historic failings” and changes are now in the course of being made.

The investigation showed that Crown had processed A$164m in China UnionPay card payments at the Crown Towers hotel. The vouchers could then be exchanged for cash or chips at the neighbouring casino.

Crown is simultaneously being investigated by regulators for allegedly dealing with criminal organisations in the past.