Sydney's Star and Crown casinos fined after 16yo gambled multiple times

Crown Sydney and The Star casinos in Sydney have each been fined $1.75 million and $500,000 respectively following an investigation into a 16-year-old boy's repeated entry into their venues using a fake ID. The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) uncovered the teenager's fraudulent drivers license was used to gain access to the casinos between April and August 2025.

The boy was allowed into Crown Sydney 19 times and The Star 3 times, during which he received silver membership status, engaged in illegal alcohol service, and gambled away a substantial sum of money. The NICC's investigation was conducted by Liquor and Gaming NSW. Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres expressed shock at the significant failures in the casinos' identity verification and customer onboarding processes that enabled the minor to enter their venues.

NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford emphasized the severity of the situation, particularly the illegal alcohol service. Both casinos acknowledged their responsibility and committed to implementing additional remediation measures, including enhanced identity verification and staff training. The boy has been banned from the casinos for five years post his 18th birthday.