A high-roller at Crown Casino in Melbourne, Australia, played for more than 34 consecutive hours before staff requested a recess, a royal inquiry has disclosed. This alarming occurrence is just one of several under scrutiny by the commission, which aims to ascertain if Crown Resorts is suitable to retain its gaming permit.
The inquiry learned that although Crown personnel are expected to urge players to pause every 12 to 17 hours, this protocol appears unenforced, particularly for those not monitored digitally. One player in 2019 was only engaged after an astounding 34 hours of uninterrupted play.
Heightening the worry, the investigation also discovered that individuals who wager at Crown Melbourne are three times more prone to developing a gambling addiction compared to those who patronize other casinos in Victoria. This is especially concerning considering that Crown Melbourne, welcoming approximately 64,000 guests daily, employed a mere 12 team members to supervise responsible gaming conduct between 2016 and 2019. The legal counsel aiding the commission aptly characterized the circumstances, remarking that “the framework is structured in a manner that permits individuals to gamble for extended durations without detection.”