Crown Melbourne fined $120 million over gambling law failures

Crown Melbourne will be forced to pay fines totalling $120 million by Victoria's gaming regulator for failing to uphold the state's gambling laws.

The Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence found Crown regularly allowed customers to gamble for more than 24 hours, and also allowed gamblers to use devices to simulate automatic play when gambling on poker machines.

Chairperson Fran Thorn said the breaches were part of "extensive, sustained and systemic" failures spanning 12 years.

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"For a long time, Crown failed in its legal and moral obligation to ensure it provided its gambling products and services in a manner which minimised potential harm to its patrons, their families, friends and communities," Thorn said.

"The record fines totalling $120 million that we have imposed on Crown today will send a powerful message to Crown that the Commission will not tolerate misconduct that exposes our community to increased risks of gambling related harm."

This is the second time the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has taken action against Crown for conduct uncovered by the Royal Commission.

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In May the VGCCC fined Crown $80 million over its China Union Pay process.

The body also said it was considering further disciplinary proceedings.

In August, it was announced Australians will have to declare how much cash they are prepared to lose before being able to gamble at the Melbourne casino under tough new state laws.

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A $1000 limit will also be introduced for cash transactions at the casino within 24 hours, while patrons will have to show ID to gamble or pocket winnings greater than $1000.

The state government is set to introduce the new laws after the Royal Commission exposed serious money laundering occurring at the venue.

The legislation will implement a further twelve recommendations designed to stop money laundering and protect punters from gambling-related harm.

It will mean the Melbourne casino has the toughest restrictions of any in the country.

9News.com.au has contacted Crown for comment.