SkyCity Adelaide fined $67M for ties to crime and trafficking
SkyCity Adelaide has agreed to pay a AU$67 million penalty after an investigation by Australia's financial watchdog. The case revealed serious breaches of anti-money laundering laws, including ties to organised crime and human trafficking.
AUSTRAC, Australia's financial intelligence agency, found that SkyCity failed to properly monitor and report suspicious transactions. The investigation uncovered evidence of loan sharking, organised crime links, and human trafficking within the casino's operations.
This penalty follows a pattern of enforcement over the past five years. Between March 2021 and March 2026, AUSTRAC imposed fines on at least 12 other firms for similar violations. Major banks faced the heaviest penalties: Westpac paid AU$1.3 billion in 2021, NAB the same amount in 2022, and ANZ AU$1 billion in 2023. Commonwealth Bank was fined AU$800 million in 2024. Casinos and financial firms were also penalised. Crown Resorts paid AU$450 million in 2022, while remittance companies and fintechs, including CoinSpot and Independent Reserve, received smaller but significant fines.
The AU$67 million fine against SkyCity marks another major enforcement action by AUSTRAC. The case highlights ongoing issues with money laundering controls in Australia's financial and gambling sectors. Regulators continue to target institutions failing to meet legal obligations.
