A manager of The Star casino, who borrowed over AU$7,000 from other employees of the gambling venue to fuel her own compulsive gambling habits, has been fired. Apart from that, the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority (ILGA) ruled that Minh Nguyen would be no longer able to work in the industry.
As the New South Wales’ gambling regulatory body revealed in a press release, Minh Nguyen, who worked as a Casino Special Employee supervising security and gaming tables at the casino venue, borrowed more than AU$7,000 from her staff in 2020 and 2021.
An investigation found that in one of the instances when she borrowed money from her staff, she cut one of the employees’ shifts short, offered to drive them home and asked them to borrow her AU$1,000 while speaking about family issues. She then stopped her car at an ATM so the employee in question could withdraw the cash. She repaid the money after several months after the staff member attempted to get the loan back several times.
But the casino manager did not stop there. Ms Nguyen asked for an AU$3,000 loan from another casino employee and promised to return the money within two months. She was then given AU$2,000 and repaid them only AU$1,000 five months later. After that Ms Nguyen cut off contact with the casino employee by not answering their calls or disconnecting phone numbers.
ILGA Believes the Case Was a Matter of Integrity as Abuse of Power Was Involved
When asked questions about the case, staff members explained they were scared to talk about the issue and felt they were unable to reject their manager’s request. Ms Nguyen, however, stated that she did not believe she abused her powerful position at the casino to oppress the staff members in any way and force them into giving her money.
As mentioned above, the position of a Casino Special Employee Ms Nguyen was employed at the time of the offence, is associated with various powers within a casino venue, such as supervision of equipment and gaming tables, security, as well as the ability to hold management positions.
The chairman of the NSW Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, Philip Crawford, said that after investigating the issue, the state’s gambling regulator decided to revoke the licence of Ms Minh Nguyen as a measure aimed at preventing further gaming-related harm. He explained in a statement that the released nature of the contraventions demonstrated a considerable lack of diligence, as well as a lack of honesty and respect to the regulatory compliance the manager was supposed to ensure. Mr Crawford further shared that the ILGA’s decision was also aimed at helping the already former manager of The Star casino deal with her personal problem gambling behaviour.
According to the Chairman of the state’s gambling regulatory body, it was a matter of integrity when an employee abuses their position of power, especially when reputation and character are essential at their job.
- Author
Olivia Cole
