Crown blocks thousands using controversial method, avoids watchdog scrutiny

However, O’Bryan referred to a Crown internal audit that revealed a 300 per cent increase in the number of withdrawal of licences issued between 2020 and 2022.

“Crown Melbourne and Crown Resorts policies contain different definitions in relation to exclusion orders, involuntary exclusions and withdrawal of licences. There is a lack of clear criteria guiding the decision to issue a WOL rather than an exclusion order,” O’Bryan’s interim report from 2023 said.

The Age requested data regarding the number of withdrawal of licences issued over the past five years, but was refused by Crown.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission also refused a Freedom of Information request – with the regulator citing “secrecy provisions” that apply exclusively to the Melbourne casino.

A Crown insider said the withdrawal of licences, which are a type of common law ban, continued to be widely used for members of the public found to have breached the venue’s code of conduct.

The practice has also raised concerns about fairness, with different bans imposed for similar offences, amid allegations high roller gamblers get favourable treatment from management.

In October last year, The Age revealed music industry mogul Matt Gudinski was banned for three months, after white powder was discovered in a luxury suite booked in his name.

Gudinski was issued with a withdrawal-of-licence notice that effectively suspended him from entering the casino complex from December 2023 until March last year. The white powder was never identified and there is no suggestion the Mushroom Group chief executive engaged in any criminal activity.

Gudinski is one of Crown’s biggest local gamblers and was immediately welcomed back to the casino’s Mahogany Room after serving the brief ban.

A Crown source said other gamblers had been issued with withdrawal-of-licence bans of up to five years, after powder or pills were found in their possession.

Loading

In 2022, former AFL star Wayne Carey was found with a suspicious white powder at a gaming table at Crown Casino Perth. He was handed a two-year ban, despite insisting the bag contained a legal painkiller. It is unknown if Carey received a withdrawal of licence or an exclusion order, and the incident occurred in a different state, but Crown’s handling of the incident reveals significant discrepancies.

“Crown’s decision to issue a withdrawal of licence can have a significant impact on the affected individuals, who may make complaints if they feel there is a lack of transparency or confidence in Crown’s decision making,” said O’Bryan in his 2023 report.

A Crown spokesman did not respond to questions from The Age, but released a statement.

“All guest withdrawal of licence and exclusion decisions relating to unacceptable behaviour are made in accordance with our Security Banning Order policy which is overseen by the Executive General Manager – Security Services and are submitted to the VGCCC as part of daily reporting.”

A VGCCC spokesman, however, said that it did not have any oversight of withdrawal-of-licence notices issued by Crown. “Where an individual has been issued an exclusion order, the VGCCC expects Crown to comply with its reporting requirements,” he said.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.