Teens caught at casino to face one year ban from 18th birthday

Teenagers sneaking into NSW casinos will for the first time face a minimum one-year ban from their 18th birthday, under a Minns government compliance crackdown.

Teenagers sneaking into NSW casinos will for the first time face a minimum one-year ban from their 18th birthday, under a Minns government compliance crackdown.

The move follows several cases of under-age casino patrons being found gambling and drinking, including a girl aged just 12 found playing the pokies.

The crackdown will occur over the coming weeks — including Christmas and New Year’s Eve — with Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) inspectors to combine forces with casino security to target under-18s illegally gambling and drinking in casinos and associated hospitality venues.

Those who are caught will for the first time face a ban of 12 month or more and fines of $2200.

If an excluded person enters or remains in a casino, they face even greater penalties, with fines of up to $5500, ­imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both.

CCTV shows a 17-year-old showing fake ID to casino security officers.

The underage patron (with arms folded) went on to play blackjack.

L&GNSW regulatory operations executive director Jane Lin said casino operators had also been urged to ensure security officers were carefully scrutinising the ID of younger patrons.

“If a minor is caught within the casino, we may exclude them from re-entering for a period from their 18th birthday, which means they won’t be able to visit until they’re at least 19, and they may be ­issued with a fine,” Ms Lin said.

The 12-year-old girl who was snuck into The Star casino by her mother.

“Minors will also not be allowed to keep any winnings from gambling and will leave empty-handed.

“We have also reminded the casino operators of their obligations to prevent minors from entering casinos, including by ensuring that casino staff are checking IDs where necessary.”

In NSW, if you are aged under 18, it is illegal to enter a casino, use false evidence of age, or buy, attempt to buy, or consume alcohol.

In one recent case, a 17-year-old used a fake ID to enter a casino.

CCTV then caught the teen gambling in the casino, spending more than an hour playing roulette and blackjack.

The teen was later fined.

L&GNSW also takes enforcement action against casino operators if they fail to prevent minors from entering a casino.

Three years ago, The Star casino was fined $60,000 after a 12-year-old girl went on a gambling spree, placing 21 bets on multiple poker ­machines.

The school student was snuck in to the venue by her mother before she was stopped by security as the pair, along with her ­father, tried to leave.

The incident was one of three breaches involving children gambling and being served alcohol, with a 16-year-old also found playing roulette and poker for over three hours while drinking a vodka Red Bull.

The Star self-reported the incidents to the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, as required.

However this did not mitigate the ­severity of the ­penalty.

The 2020 NSW Youth Gambling Study found parents were the strongest influence on youth gambling.

The study found gambling usually beginning with parents or guardians, followed by friends, relatives and grandparents.

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