AUSTRAC Targets Further Casinos in Fresh AML Crackdown

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Australia’s financial intelligence agency, AUSTRAC, has intensified scrutiny across the country’s gambling sector by ordering compliance audits of the Ville Resort-Casino in Townsville, Queensland, and the Mindil Beach Casino Resort in Darwin, Northern Territory. 

These actions were taken after AUSTRAC identified gaps in the casinos’ anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) programs, putting them at risk of exploitation by money launderers.

Brendan Thomas, AUSTRAC CEO, said in a statement to the media:

AUSTRAC is serious about driving illicit money out of the gambling industry in Australia and making sure businesses that facilitate gambling have strong money laundering controls. This follows major actions we have taken against other casinos, Crown Resorts, Sky City, and The Star and online bookmakers, Entain, Sports bet, and Bet 365.

Notably, on 4 June 2025, the Star Entertainment Group—the largest casino group in Australia—was told at a court hearing that it faces a potential AUD 400 million (USD 260 million) penalty for non-compliance with AML/CTF rules. 

It is alleged to have deliberately allowed high-risk gamblers with known criminal links to funnel money through the group’s casinos. The federal court heard how one customer with known links to overseas organized crime was given a AUD 266.7 million (USD 173 million) cheque cashing facility, while billions of dollars in suspicious transactions were linked to the Salon 95 gaming room operated by Suncity.

Crown Resorts Limited, which has resorts in Melbourne, Sydney, and Perth, was fined AUD 450 million (USD 292 million) for similar AML/CTF breaches in 2023.Beyond traditional gambling venues, AUSTRAC is also targeting digital currencies. The agency has recently refused the renewal of a crypto ATM operator’s registration and restricted crypto ATM operations in Australia, including transaction limits. This follows concerns of links to scams, fraud, and other illicit activity, amid plans by the Australian government to streamline crypto regulations.