The Star Sydney received a $64 000 fine when minors were discovered gambling at its premises. Surveillance footage captured a 12-year-old girl and two other juveniles gaining access to electronic games. The girl managed to place close to 24 bets on poker machines.
Dubious parenting
In a shocking outcome, it was discovered that the child’s parents helped her in her gambling exploits. The casino’s surveillance system also showed the child’s mother helping her enter the casino by holding the exit door open in an attempt to avoid detection.
In the video footage, which was released by Liquor & Gaming New South Wales, the girl can be seen to gamble for about 20 minutes with the assistance of her parents. Despite their crucial role in her actions, the casino itself is ultimately liable for the transgression.
David Byrne, the NSW Independent Liquor & Authority director of Investigations and intervention said that minors entering through deceptive means should have been an eventuality the casino was prepared for.
Byrne Stated that the casino failed in its duty to account for the risk and that casino staff should have taken note of a visibly young child having fun at the pokies.
More minors
Two other older minors were also able to gamble at the casino and a 17-year-old was also found gambling on the premises while being served alcohol. He managed to play several rounds of roulette and got a few poker hands in before being ejected from the casino. The teenager used his own license to gain entry and interacted with members of staff at least 15 times during the time he was there.
A different incident saw a 16-year old girl entering the casino through the VIP checkout. No ID was requested from her initially and when she was finally asked, she produced a fake ID that was accepted, and she was subsequently served alcohol.
