Talk about a high-stakes gamble! Crown Melbourne just got an extra two years to implement its mandatory card play system. Is this a step forward for responsible gaming and fighting money laundering, or a controversial delay? The Victorian government’s decision has everyone talking. What’s your take on this latest twist in gambling reform?

The Victorian government has granted Crown Melbourne a significant two-year extension to implement a crucial gambling reform, pushing the mandatory card play deadline to December 2027. This decision, announced recently, has ignited intense discussions regarding the state’s commitment to comprehensive gambling regulation and its ongoing efforts to combat money laundering within its casinos.

Initially proposed by a royal commission investigating Crown’s operations, the card play system was slated for full deployment by the end of 2025. Its primary goal is to replace traditional cash transactions at gaming tables with a secure, account-based system, enabling authorities to meticulously monitor gambling activity and prevent illicit funds from flowing through the high-profile Crown Melbourne casino.

Anti-gambling advocates have vehemently condemned the delay, accusing the government of reneging on its promises to clean up the industry. Critics, including certain Labor Members of Parliament, view this decision as a regressive step, undermining efforts to address significant money laundering risks and protect vulnerable players from gambling-related harm in Victoria.

Despite the controversy, Crown Melbourne maintains it is making substantial progress towards implementing the new system. The casino has already initiated the card play system on a smaller scale and plans to extend its application to electronic table games in the coming months, showcasing its commitment to responsible gaming initiatives.

A company representative hailed the Melbourne venue as a “global leader in responsible gaming initiatives,” citing the successful introduction of pre-set loss and time limits on its poker machines. This highlights Crown’s strategic focus on promoting safer gambling environments, even amidst evolving gambling regulation.

This latest development unfolds just over a year after Blackstone Inc. finalized its acquisition of Crown Resorts, following a monumental internal shakeup. This corporate restructuring was triggered by findings of widespread wrongdoing, including systemic problems like tax shortfalls, facilitating illegal money transfers, and actively targeting problem gamblers, underscoring the need for casino reform.

Critics of the extension also spotlight broader inconsistencies within Victoria’s wider gambling reform agenda. While pubs and clubs in regional areas are set to trial similar measures next month, the government controversially opted not to include mandatory loss limits in that specific program, leading the Responsible Gambling Foundation to withdraw its support.

The legislation to formalize this extended deadline is currently before parliament. Opposition leaders have yet to declare their stance on the proposal, leaving the ultimate outcome of this critical gambling regulation in Victoria uncertain as public and political debates continue over responsible gaming and casino reform.