New South Wales (NSW) has intensified its campaign against underage gambling, with the Australian state enforcing tougher punishments for offenders. The new rules come ahead of the holiday period during which casino activity is expected to surge.
Fines, Ban Await Violators
Under state laws, individuals under the age of 18 are prohibited from entering a casino or using fake IDs to gain entry to gambling venues across NSW. Minors are also not allowed to buy or consume alcohol.
Those caught violating the rules could now be banned from the state’s casinos for at least 12 months, or receive a maximum fine of $2,200. At the moment, two casinos are operating in NSW, Crown Sydney and The Star Sydney.
Repeat offenders could face imprisonment of up to 12 months, penalties of up to $5,500, or both. Additionally, violators will not be allowed to keep any winnings from gambling.
NSW Casino Operators Warned to Fulfill their Duties
Announcing the new sanctions, Jane Lin, Executive Director for Regulatory Operations at Liquor & Gaming NSW, said they’ll be dispatching inspectors to casinos to monitor compliance. Lin warned operators to also fulfill their obligations to prevent minors from entering their premises as they may also be subject to enforcement actions if they fail in their duties.