The Ville Casino in Townsville, north Queensland, will face hefty fines from the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulations (OLGR), known as Australia’s liquor and gambling regulator, for allegedly “using unapproved junkets to lure gamblers to its tables after a nine-month probe.”
The investigation:
An action seeking civil penalties against the Queensland casino was filed in the Federal Court, following the conclusion of a joint investigation with law enforcement and regulators in NSW and Queensland, which started in September 2019, and resulted in the suspension of Star Casino’s license and a 100 million US dollars fine for compliance violations.
Furthermore, Star will also face a 90-day suspension of its remaining two casino licenses if it fails to improve and reform by December 2023.
OLGR’s lawsuit:
The Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulations (OLGR), asserts: “The state’s casino regulations must approve agreements or arrangements, including junkets. Queensland casinos are expected to operate lawfully, ethically, and in a way that maintains the highest standards of integrity and public confidence.
“OLGR takes matters of non-compliance by casino operators seriously. It is important that the penalties for breaches of Queensland’s casino legislation are appropriate and send a strong message that unlawful and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.”
Ville Casino officials are expected to appear in Federal Court over the alleged violations in January.
Another Queensland casino charged:
Furthermore, following the investigation, another Queensland casino, the Reef hotel & casino in Cairns city, was officially fined 10,000 US dollars, after being found guilty of “breaching the Casino Control Act over unapproved junkets after a separate investigation.”
In this regard, spokeswoman at Liquor and Gaming regulations, said: “The court outcome against the operator of the Reef Hotel Casino signals the approach Queensland casinos can expect from the OLGR if the operator fails to meet its requirements under law.”
The state authorities has selected a special manager to ensure reforms are introduced to ASX-listed company’s in Queensland.
About:
Headquartered in Townsville, Queensland, Ville resort & casino was founded and officially launched in 1980. It is the only resort & casino in Townsville and has 194 rooms.
Its portfolio consists of 370 jackpot slots, more than 20 table games and tab and keno.
Headquartered in Cairns City, Queensland, Reef hotel & casino was founded and officially launched in January 1996 and is a subsidiary of Casinos Austria International Limited and Accor Casino Investments (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
It is the only hotel & casino in Cairns City and has 128 hotel rooms.
Its portfolio consists of table games such as blackjack, roulette, mini and midi baccarat, reef routine, sic-bo, rapid roulette and the money wheel.
