Crown Melbourne has declared its commitment to becoming the world’s safest casino with the help of a groundbreaking initiative that comes in the form of a new carded play system.

Crown Melbourne Mandates Swipe Cards for Player Limits

The casino, once embroiled in controversy following the 2021 Finkelstein royal commission, has announced that poker machine players will now be required to use swipe cards to establish binding limits on both losses and time spent gambling. 

Crown Resorts chief executive, Ciaran Carruthers, expressed the casino’s ambition to operate the safest casinos globally, emphasizing the transformative nature of this pioneering shift, reported the Australian media outlet The Age.

Effective immediately, patrons utilizing Crown Melbourne’s 2500 poker machines will need to employ a swipe card to determine their maximum allowable losses and set time constraints. This innovative approach aims to promote responsible gambling and empower players to manage their gaming activities more conscientiously.

Additionally, players will receive detailed player activity statements, providing insights into their ongoing spending and playing habits. This move is part of Crown Melbourne’s commitment to fostering an environment of transparency and responsibility.

Crown Resorts Unveils Ambitious Plans for Statewide Gaming Reform

The new system is not limited to Crown Melbourne alone. Plans are underway to extend it to the state’s other 26,380 poker machines in pubs, clubs, and RSLs. 

This development coincides with a challenging period for the casino, as recent reports indicate an investigation into allegations that CEO Ciaran Carruthers intervened to permit blocked patrons to gamble.

Crown Resorts, having faced a substantial $100 million fine last year for allowing prolonged gambling at its Southbank complex, remains under scrutiny for past practices. This year, Crown Resorts also got slapped with a substantial AUD450 million ($309.8 million) fine by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) for significant lapses in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism measures at Crown Perth and Crown Melbourne. 

This move towards heightened player protection aligns with broader industry reforms. Former premier Daniel Andrews previously announced stringent gambling and anti-money laundering measures in August, affecting all pubs and clubs. 

Back in September, Crown Resorts introduced a Premium Player Program at its Crown Melbourne and Crown Sydney casinos, excluding Crown Perth, in a strategic move to rebuild its. The program, directly overseen by Crown Resorts, enforced strict eligibility criteria, collaborating with regulators to ensure compliance with post-inquiry regulations, reflecting the company’s commitment to responsible gaming and ethical practices under the leadership of CEO Ciaran Carruthers.

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Lucky Eagle Casino found itself embroiled in a fatal shooting incident over the weekend, leading to the temporary closure of the establishment following a harrowing encounter between law enforcement and a murder suspect. This development perpetuates November’s unfortunate trend, as armed violence inside US casinos is becoming a regular occurrence. 

Witness Testimony Revealed Additional Details

The victim, identified as 33-year-old Darren Evans of Yelm by Thurston County Coroner Gary Warnock, was fatally shot by a Chehalis tribal police officer at Washington State’s Lucky Eagle Casino. Evans was the subject of a warrant for two counts of first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in Pierce County. The charges stemmed from a September 2022 incident in Graham, where Evans was wanted for murder.

On Sunday, Chehalis Tribal police and Thurston County Sheriff’s Office personnel received information suggesting Evans was inside the Lucky Eagle Casino. Upon attempting to make contact with Evans, an officer fired shots, resulting in fatal injuries to Evans. Eyewitness Dee Thomas, speaking for KOMO, described Evans running towards the casino exit before the officer discharged his firearm.

I think he tried to get to the front door exit, and then all of a sudden, I see the officer shot him right in the middle of the floor. I didn’t see a direct threat from the man.

Dee Thomas

Authorities have not disclosed the specific circumstances that prompted the officer to fire, nor have they clarified whether Evans was armed or posed a threat to the officer before the shooting. Efforts to save Evans following the shooting were unsuccessful, according to reports from the sheriff’s office. 

Casino Shootings Are Becoming Concerningly Common

Lucky Eagle Casino, operated by the Chehalis Tribe and located near Rochester, about 25 miles southwest of Olympia, announced its temporary closure in response to the tragic event. An establishment representative confirmed it would remain closed until further notice, expressing sorrow over the incident and the necessity of the closure during the ongoing investigation.

This newest shooting represents a concerning trend of armed violence at high-profile gambling venues. November saw a triple homicide near a casino in Robinsonville, MS, and similar reports of homicides related to the gambling industry have become increasingly frequent. While the courts often issue swift judgments regarding such cases, preventative measures remain lacking.

You think you’re going to a public place that’s a safe place, that’s secure, and anything could happen.

Dee Thomas

The rising frequency of such incidents should prompt casino operators to invest more in security, safeguarding consumers and reducing the chances of similar tragedies. Lucky Eagle Casino demonstrates how an unfortunate incident can substantially impact a venue’s bottom line and damage its reputation, justifying some extra expenses.

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Simo Dragicevic and Sarah Ramanauskas have joined forces to launch a new safer gambling initiative for the gambling industry. The Game Safety Institute will provide a centre of knowledge for new and practical insight into gambling products.

Simo says: “Much of the focus of regulators, research and policy has been upon players, including their characteristics and behaviour. Less attention has been directed to the nature of the product and the complex interrelation between player characteristics and contextual factors. The Game Safety Institute will address this gap.”

Sarah says: “We believe the gambling industry and its regulators need to extend and improve their understanding of product risks and how best to mitigate these risks, in order to further help players avoid potential harms. Our aim is to provide actionable insight for gambling operators and regulators looking to ensure product safety is developed as an integral part of safer gambling.”

Dragicevic has been a technology entrepreneur and product lead in the gambling industry since 2010, starting with BetBuddy, a pioneer in data analytics and responsible gambling, which was acquired by Playtech Plc in 2017. He is on the board of Canada’s Responsible Gambling Council and sits on the GB Gambling Commission’s Digital Advisory Panel.

Ramanauskas has provided responsible gambling consultancy services to gambling operators and regulators globally since 2014. She is currently an assessor for both the World Lottery Association and the US National Council on Problem Gambling. She has also recently served as a Commissioner on the UK Commission on Crime and Gambling-Related Harms. She previously held senior research and insight roles at Betfair and William Hill.

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Renowned international slots website Slots Temple forged a strategic partnership with Signzy, a global leader in AI-based digital identity verification solutions. The ever-evolving landscape of online gaming makes the authenticity and security of player identities and transactions a paramount concern for operators, requiring continued investments. Signzy Solutions should perfectly fit Slots Temple as the company maintains its leadership position.

Improved Security Has Wide-Reaching Benefits

The core of this partnership lies in integrating Signzy’s advanced verification APIs into the Slots Temple gaming platform. This integration will empower players with an added layer of security, allowing them to confidently engage in games and tournaments, knowing that their identities and personal information are protected. The AI-driven technology provided by Signzy streamlines the verification process, delivering quick and accurate results while minimizing disruptions to the gaming experience.

Through this collaboration, Slots Temple is demonstrating its commitment to creating a safe and secure gaming environment that meets the highest standards of integrity and compliance. Company CEO Fraser Linkleter was excited about the update’s positive impact on the community. He reaffirmed Slots Temple’s customer-focused mindset, promising enduring security and safety.

By collaborating with Signzy, we… will not only protect our players but also bolster our platform’s integrity.

Fraser Linkleter, Slots Temple CEO 

Signzy CEO Ankit Ratan supported Linkleter’s sentiment, highlighting the two companies’ shared commitment to improving the worldwide gaming environment. Their AI-based identity verification technology ensures that players are of legal age and are playing from authorized jurisdictions. This proactive approach safeguards players and contributes to the credibility and reputation of partnering operators.

The Partnership Reaffirms Slots Temple’s Commitment

The collaboration with Signzy aligns with Slots Temple’s mission to stand out from other affiliates. In a previous interview with Gambling News, CEO Linkleter stated that the operator would focus on ensuring age verification standards in every jurisdiction, providing a secure foundation for genuine relationships between stakeholders and affiliates. 

Slots Temple’s most recent security-focused efforts build upon the company’s membership in RAiG (Responsible Affiliates in Gambling), an independent body, raising responsible gambling standards. Such an unwavering commitment to its player base has aided the company’s considerable success as it now stands among the world’s leading iGaming affiliates.

As the gaming industry evolves, integrating AI-driven identity verification solutions gives players a more secure and enjoyable gaming experience, free from fraud and unauthorized access concerns. This newest collaboration sets a positive precedent for the broader gaming industry, highlighting the importance of advanced security measures in an increasingly digital world.

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