Crown Resorts, one of Australia’s leading casino operators, has been hit with a substantial fine of AUD20 million ($13.8 million) by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). The issue was initially uncovered during the 2021 Royal Commission probe into Crown Melbourne, which revealed that Crown had disguised promotional costs as winnings in order to claim tax deductions.

Crown Resorts Concealed Tax Failings, VGCCC Discovers

The VGCCC discovered the tax failings among the extensive documents disclosed by Crown during the Royal Commission probe, reported The Sydney Morning Herald. The commission also found that Crown had deliberately concealed the nature of these deductions.

Crown Melbourne, the flagship casino of the company, has accepted its wrongdoing and has paid approximately AUD61.5 million ($42.4 million) to the state of Victoria. This amount includes unpaid casino tax of about AUD37.4 million ($25.7 million) and penalty interest of approximately AUD24.1 million ($16.6 million). The AUD20 million fine imposed by the VGCCC is in addition to these payments.

Fran Thorn, the chairperson of the VGCCC, stated that Crown’s breach of its tax obligations and its efforts to conceal the improper deductions were unacceptable. Thorn emphasized the importance of gaming licensees complying with their tax obligations and maintaining transparency in their dealings with regulators. As a result of Crown’s actions, the VGCCC has imposed a significant fine to send a strong message that such behavior will face severe disciplinary action.

Crown Resorts’ Chief Vows Cultural Overhaul

Crown Melbourne’s chief, Mike Volkert, expressed the company’s acceptance of the outcome and its commitment to a cultural overhaul under new ownership. Crown Resorts was acquired by Blackstone Capital for AUD8.9 billion ($6.1 billion) in May of last year. Volkert assured regulators and stakeholders of Crown’s dedication to open and transparent relationships, improved internal controls, and regulatory reporting requirements.

This is not the first time Crown has faced substantial penalties. Earlier this year, the company and the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) proposed an AUD450 million ($309.8 million) penalty for extensive anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism failings at Crown Perth and Crown Melbourne. If approved, this penalty would be one of the largest in Australian corporate history.

Crown Resorts has been under scrutiny since 2019 when an investigation revealed its vulnerability to international criminal syndicates and money launderers. Subsequent government inquiries have deemed the company unfit to hold a casino license, preventing the opening of its high-rise casino at Sydney’s Barangaroo. The ongoing legal and regulatory challenges have forced Crown to reevaluate its practices and work towards regaining trust and compliance with industry standards.

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Jackpot wins, although hard to get, are life-changing. And sometimes even little bets pay out big time which is precisely the case of a woman that visited Atlantis Casino in Reno, Nevada. On Sunday night, a woman, who was not named, won a multi-million-dollar jackpot. Her $10 bet turned into a Megabucks Jackpot of $14,005,832.09.

The casino did not reveal the identity of the lucky woman but confirmed that she is one of its long-time guests. Besides a life-changing sum, the new jackpot marked the biggest jackpot for Reno, Atlantis Casino confirmed upon consulting with IGT.

IGT’s vice president, western region and Mexico sales, Toni Martinez, said that the company is excited to see the new jackpot drop at Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, a statement released by 2News reveals. He added: “With a $10 million top progressive jackpot reset value, no slot jackpot in the U.S. rivals the size or thrill of IGT’s legendary Megabucks game.”

“IGT is thrilled that Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada could experience the property-wide excitement of a colossal, $14 million-plus Megabucks jackpot on its gaming floor.“

Toni Martinez, vice president, western region and Mexico sales at IGT

The Lucky Winner Unexpectedly Extended Her Stay

The lucky guest did not plan to stay at the casino resort that long, initially. She had a booked cruise that unfortunately got canceled. Yet, this cancellation brought her the life-changing jackpot as she extended her stay at Atlantis.

The win brought excitement to Atlantis Casino Resort’s general manager, Cheraz Ecker. She explained that the casino resort is delighted to see a long-term visitor secure that incredible jackpot win. Finally, Ecker noted: “This is another amazing milestone to celebrate in our company’s history and it’s verifiable proof that our award-winning property in northern Nevada truly is every player’s paradise.”

“We’re ecstatic for our longtime Atlantis patron and her incredible jackpot win.“

Cheraz Ecker, general manager at Atlantis Casino Resort

Elsewhere in Nevada, another lucky gambler turned a tiny bet into a huge win. On Monday, Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas revealed that one of its visitors turned their last $10 into an $11,681 jackpot win. The lucky Alaskan player secured the jackpot win on the Dragon Link game.

Besides that jackpot, another lucky gambler secured a significant win late last week. Flamingo Las Vegas, one of the iconic casinos in the city, confirmed that one lucky visitor playing I Luv Suits Progressive secured a $1.3 million jackpot.

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Reno Gazette-Journal reported that the Reno woman who wished to remain anonymous hit the $14 million jackpot while playing a Megabucks slot machine at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa on Sunday, April 2, 2023. The anonymous gambler had extended her stay at the casino after her planned cruise was canceled. 

Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Celebrates Biggest Jackpot Win Ever in Reno

The $14 million jackpot is the largest Megabucks prize ever won in Reno, and it is the first Megabucks jackpot won in Nevada since April 2021. IGT, the gaming manufacturer of the Megabucks slot machine, confirmed the life-changing win, which is far from the top jackpot ever won in Nevada. That honor belongs to a man who wished to remain anonymous after winning a $39.7 million progressive jackpot at the Excalibur on the Las Vegas Strip in March 2003. The lucky player also won the historic sum on a Megabucks machine after gambling about $100.

The woman’s $10 bet hit the jackpot, making her richer by over $14 million. The Atlantis Casino Resort Spa, which is south of downtown Reno, is owned and operated by Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc. The lucky winner is a regular at the casino, according to casino officials. 

Atlantis General Manager Cheraz Ecker expressed her excitement for the winner and her incredible jackpot win, saying that it was another amazing milestone to celebrate in the company’s history.

IGT’s Megabucks Have Been Making Millionaires and Breaking Records for Over Three Decades

IGT’s Megabucks is a progressive slot jackpot that is available at various casinos. It debuted in Nevada casinos in 1986 and has an array of titles. The terminals have made many gamblers extraordinarily wealthy over the 37 years of its operation. 

While this week’s Megabucks jackpot hit at the Atlantis Reno is the largest slots prize ever won in the city, the $14 million haul is far from the top jackpot ever won in Nevada. Reno resident Rachael Renee Romanick also won $33 million playing the Megabucks slot machine at Terrible’s Rail City in Sparks on April 12, 2009.

The chances of hitting a Megabucks progressive slot jackpot are not good. According to Anthony Curtis of Las Vegas Advisor, an online resource for visitors to Southern Nevada, the chances of hitting a Megabucks jackpot are about 1 in 49.8 million.

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