Minors don’t stand a chance in NSW casinos this holiday season

Minors caught in an adults-only gaming venue can face significant consequences, including fines and bans preventing them from re-entering for an entire year or more once they turn 18.   

L&GNSW A/Executive Director of Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said inspectors and casino security are working together to ensure venues remain off-limits to minors during the Christmas and New Year period.  

“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 said.   

“Under 18s caught in a casino will forfeit any gambling winnings and may face fines of up to $4,400, along with a ban on entering casinos until they are at least 19.”  

Mr Argeres also reminded casino operators of their obligations to prevent under 18s from entering their premises.  

“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 said.  

“Our goal is not only to catch offenders but also to proactively prevent breaches. We are working closely with casino operators to enhance internal controls and educate staff on the critical role they play in preventing underage access.”  

In NSW, it is illegal for under 18s to enter a casino or use fraudulent identification such as fake IDs. It is also an offence for minors to buy or consume alcohol.  

More severe penalties apply to excluded persons who enter or remain in a casino, including fines of up to $5,500, 12 months’ imprisonment, or both.  

The operation follows several high-profile breaches involving minors in NSW casinos in recent years. In one instance, a 17-year-old used a fake ID to enter a casino and spent over an hour gambling. The individual was fined for both entering the casino and using false identification, and the casino operator was issued a pecuniary penalty of $25,00 by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC).   

The compliance operation will run throughout the holiday period and into early 2025.