Liquor & Gaming NSW has initiated a compliance operation aimed at safeguarding minors from entering, gambling, or consuming alcohol in casinos throughout New South Wales during the holiday season.
The operation comes as the state anticipates a surge in casino visitors over Christmas and New Year. Liquor & Gaming NSW administers the regulatory framework for the liquor, gaming, wagering, casino and registered clubs sectors in New South Wales.
Underage individuals caught in adult-only gaming venues face significant repercussions, including fines and a one-year ban from re-entering casinos once they turn 18.
Dimitri Argeres, Acting Executive Director of Regulatory Operations at L&GNSW, emphasized the importance of collaboration between inspectors and casino security to ensure that minors remain off-limits.
“This is a critical time of year when we see an increase in people visiting casinos, and it’s essential that minors are not among them,” Mr. Argeres stated. “Under 18s caught in a casino will forfeit any gambling winnings and may face fines of up to AU$4,400 (US$2,800), along with a ban on entering casinos until they are at least 19.”
Mr. Argeres also reminded casino operators of their legal responsibility to prevent underage access. “This operation focuses on both holding individuals accountable and ensuring casinos meet their legal obligations. Staff training, rigorous ID checks, and robust security measures are essential to preventing underage access,” he added.
In New South Wales, it is illegal for individuals under 18 to enter a casino or use fraudulent identification, such as fake IDs. Additionally, minors are prohibited from purchasing or consuming alcohol. More severe penalties apply to excluded persons who enter or remain in a casino, including fines of up to AU$5,500 (US$3,500), a maximum of 12 months in prison, or both.
This enforcement initiative follows several high-profile incidents involving minors in NSW casinos in recent years.
In one notable case, a 17-year-old used a fake ID to gain entry and spent over an hour gambling, resulting in fines for both the individual and the casino operator, which was penalized AU$25,000 (US$15,900) by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC).
