Liquor & Gaming NSW, the regulatory body responsible for liquor, wagering, gaming and registered clubs in New South Wales, Australia, announced it will impose fine to the operator of Star Casino, Star Entertainment Group. The casino that has been found in breach of public health orders relating to virus risk mitigation after groups of patrons were observed Saturday night standing and mingling while consuming alcohol, is facing a AUD$5,000 penalty.
Liquor & Gaming NSW informed the public that it conducts uniformed and undercover inspections of licensed venues, authorized to issue on the spot fines whenever breaches of health orders are found. As per the law, business organizations face fines of up to AUD$55,000, with a further AUD$27,500 per day for a continuous offence, while individuals may part with up to AUD$11,000 or 6 months imprisonment, or even both.
Third Inspection Resulted in Sanctions
Liquor & Gaming NSW conveyed two visits to the Star Casino over the past two weeks, providing the information and advice on what casino staff should be doing regarding public health orders, and it was not until a third visit to the gaming venue that the financial sanction decision was taken.
“…The fine follows a third inspection on the weekend where we witnessed further breaches of the COVID-19 Safety Plan, with patrons standing while consuming liquor and mingling between groups…”
Dimitri Argeres, Acting Director of Compliance, Liquor & Gaming NSW
The public health orders imply all licensed venues must have a Covid-19 Safety Plan that contains its risk management procedures in details, and the plan must be visibly enforced, and Liquor & Gaming NSW wants to send a strong message to all businesses that they must comply and manage the risks to ensure public safety, Mr Argeres concluded.
Star Casino Patron Testing Positive
The announcement from Liquor & Gaming NSW coincided with an announcement from the casino that it had its first customer testing positive for Covid-19. The Star Casino pointed out it was collaborating with NSW Health to initiate contact tracing for the patron who visited the casino Saturday, July 4.
“The Star is working closely with NSW Health to respond to this information, including the conduct of contact tracing.”
Official statement, Star Casino
Official information from the NSW Health outlined the casino patron was asymptomatic of the virus at the moment he attended the casino. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant explained the casino informed the health body the customer was largely managed within his group and did not get into much interaction with anyone else.
Star Entertainment Group is entitled to bad news recently, after several days ago the business could not reach an agreement with the government in Queensland and negotiations regarding a casino exclusivity license ended.