Three casino dealers of the gambling giant Crown have lost their licenses for working at two illegal casinos in Perth. In April 2023, a large-scale raid uncovered the unlicensed venues. Additionally, a former Crown employee has been charged with money laundering and violating gambling laws.

Employees Lose Job and License

Australian media report that Crown dismissed three casino croupiers after police stormed two illegal casinos in Perth. Authorities seized $128,000 AUD (approx. $77,636) in cash and various gaming equipment. It was found that three Crown croupiers worked at these illegal casinos, and a 35-year-old man, also a former Crown employee, recruited other Crown staff for his illegal operations. He is charged with organizing illegal gambling and money laundering, and participants could also face penalties for violating gambling laws.

Not the First Scandal for Crown

The Crown brand, operated by Crown Resorts Limited, has faced several violations and lawsuits in recent years. In July 2023, the company was charged with money laundering and terrorism financing, resulting in a record $450 million USD fine. Previous high penalties for money laundering, violations, and fraud attempts led to Crown being deemed unsuitable for another casino license in 2020, delaying the opening of a planned casino in Sydney.

Australian Police Announces Further Raids

Australian authorities have stated that more facilities are under investigation, and further raids are expected. They acknowledge the revival of illegal casinos after shutdowns and are focused on combatting illegal and problematic gambling. Measures such as the BetStop self-exclusion register for problem gamblers and discussions on implementing a ban on advertising online gambling are being considered to reduce problematic gambling.