Crown Melbourne Staff Discouraged Gamblers From Self-Exclusion Inquiry Hears
14.06.2024
A premium facilitator employed at Crown Melbourne informed the royal investigation that the establishment implemented measures to deter significant gamblers from pausing their gaming activities.
This facilitator, whose identity remains confidential, served 170 patrons within the Mahogany Room, the elite high-stakes section of the Southbank gaming venue. He indicated that he would caution substantial players that they jeopardized their VIP standing if they ceased gambling, emphasizing that reclaiming a black or platinum card post-self-exclusion required over a year.
The facilitator provided testimony during a closed session of the Crown Melbourne license examination, revealing that approximately 10 of his clientele opted for self-exclusion since his employment commenced at the company in 2014. This evidence was initially disclosed to the public on Saturday.
He elaborated that his responsibilities at Crown encompassed coordinating meals at casino eateries for high-stakes players, along with complimentary lodging at Crown hotels or passes to athletic competitions.
In a separate instance, a poker manager at Crown Melbourne also testified that the concept of “responsible gaming services” was unfamiliar to him.
This manager, who has held the position of a dealer at Crown since 2007, stated that he had never directed a customer to the responsible gaming facility at the Southbank casino, nor had he personally visited the facility. He added that he had not engaged with any of the venue’s 12 responsible gaming consultants, whose role is to observe patrons within the casino.
A Crown Casino worker, employed since 2013, stated they’ve never informed a patron about the accessible responsible gaming assistance, nor could they identify anyone employed by the program at the Melbourne establishment. They further noted they were unfamiliar with the casino’s guideline restricting gaming duration to 18 hours, a change from the prior 24-hour cap implemented just the previous year.
