Recently, Crown Melbourne made a number of changes to its property, including a new ‘Family Entrance’. Designed to let groups with members of all ages know that there is a wide range of entertainment and dining options on the premises, the signs are now under fire as responsible gambling advocates claim that the casino is attempting to target young people.
Tim Costello, of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce states that the new signs aim to attract young people and familiarise them with gambling. He states that it is anything but ‘family friendly’, and that parents should take their children to one of the many other all-ages venues across the city. He has received support from the Victorian Interchurch Gambling Taskforce.
Mark Zirnsak, chair of the organisation, states that the casino continues to be a gambling facility. Even though it offers family-friendly options, it should still not welcome children onto the property. "I mean there are other facilities there, but to promote the notion that this is where you bring your family very actively I think is very inappropriate,” he says.
"This just strikes me as very poorly thought out on their basis, and pretty irresponsible really." Crown executives have fought back against these claims. The casino operator only wants to prevent young people from entering the property through the gaming floor, which is why the Clarendon Street entrance has been closed off to individuals under the age of 18.
A statement from the company reads: "The purpose of this new entrance is to protect under-18s from entering the gaming floor and encourage them to enter the property from the South Melbourne end of Crown, via the food court”. This is a very contentious issue, and we will be following it very closely. Do you think the signs should be taken down or not? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section!
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