The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney fined for underage entries

On Wednesday the New South Wales Independent Casino Commission (NICC) reported that Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney had been fined a combined total of AU$2.25 million (US$1.61 million) after a 16-year-old repeatedly accessed their gaming floors by using fraudulent identification documents.

Between April and August 2025 the teenager gained entry to Crown Sydney on 19 separate occasions. The teen achieved silver membership status and was served complimentary alcohol despite being under age. 

The same individual also entered The Star Sydney three times during this period. Investigations revealed that both venues failed to detect the fake identification, thereby enabling the minor to access gambling areas illegally.

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) conducted an investigation into the breaches and subsequently referred the matter to the NICC. 

The investigation confirmed that the underage visitor had used a counterfeit driver’s licence to bypass identity checks at both casinos.

Penalties and regulatory response

Crown Sydney received a penalty of AU$1.75 million, while The Star Sydney was fined AU$500,000. NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford labelled the breaches as “significant failures” and emphasised the gravity of allowing a 16-year-old to enter gaming areas.

He highlighted that Crown Sydney had additional infractions, including “the illegal service and consumption of complimentary alcohol” to the minor.

“Maintaining effective identity verification processes is not only a necessary tool in the protection of minors but for detecting fraud and criminal activity in NSW casinos,” he added.

The NICC underscored that these fines serve both as punishment and a warning to the wider industry about the importance of stringent compliance with age restrictions and verification protocols.

‘Breakdown in safeguards’

Executive director of regulatory operations at L&GNSW, Dimitri Argeres, remarked that the incident represented a critical ‘breakdown in safeguards’, which placed a vulnerable young person at significant risk of harm. 

Argeres reaffirmed that the L&GNSW will “continue to monitor casino compliance with internal controls and other requirements designed to maintain the integrity of casino operations in NSW”. 

Under the Casino Control Act 1992, the NICC wields extensive disciplinary powers. This includes the authority to impose fines of up to AU$100 million for severe breaches. 

L&GNSW has also imposed a five-year ban on the minor from attending either Crown Sydney or The Star Sydney casinos. This will be effective from the individual’s 18th birthday. 

The fine comes not long after the Star Sydney had its licence suspended due to stringent oversight of operations. The suspension was extended by the NICC after an inquiry maintained that the venue was deemed unsuitable for operation.

The casino was discovered to have failed in its remediation efforts from the first investigation.