Crown Resorts is facing a fine of up to $100 million for breaches of responsible gambling laws in Victoria. 

Just months after the Victorian Gambling and Casino and Control Commission (VGCCC) fined the company $80 million for allowing the illegal transfer of funds from China, the fallout from a royal commission into Crown’s Melbourne Southbank casino continues.

The VGCCC has announced it is launching disciplinary proceedings about Crown’s failure to adhere to its responsible gambling obligations, with a maximum fine of $100 million. 

It is possible that the VGCCC could vary Crown’s casino licence or censure Crown and direct it to take rectification steps.

VGCCC chairwoman Fran Thorn says the breaches included “not adequately supervising or interacting with hundreds or possibly thousands of customers who exhibited signs of problem or risky gambling”.

“We heard many distressing stories at the royal commission of vulnerable patrons being encouraged to gamble beyond their means,” Ms Thorn said.

“The VGCCC will therefore be unflinching in its resolve to deal with the issues uncovered at the royal commission regarding Crown’s approach to responsible gambling, and to ensure the casino operator acts in line with its legal obligations and the community’s expectations.”

Last month, Crown was taken over in an $8.9 billion by private equity giant Blackstone, securing a $3.3 billion win for major shareholder James Packer.

Blackstone has been approved as a suitable associate for Crown’s casinos in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia.

Crown and Blackstone are pushing to open the long-dormant Sydney casino, which was banned from operating in a NSW review of the gaming giant.

The NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority has issued a provisional licence to Crown, but it could revoke the approval if the company does not make adequate progress in its reform agenda.