A Melbourne man could face two years in prison or a fine of A$192,000 after police arrested 21 people and seized cash, drugs, alcohol, gaming tables and equipment following the discovery of an alleged high-end illegal casino operating out of a factory.
It is thought that the gaming enterprise, which comprised an A$8,000 buy-in, had been operating on a weekly basis and could feature as many as 50 patrons attending per night on a frequent basis.
It is also alleged that an unlicensed bar was serving alcohol, while attendees were also in possession of drugs while inside the premises.
The alleged operator that could face the most severe sanction. A 35-year-old male from Truganina, where the casino was also based, is expected to be charged on summons with conducting unauthorised gambling, advertising unauthorised gambling, selling liquor without a licence, consuming liquor on unlicensed premises and having liquor on unlicensed premises. The remaining patrons could be charged with being inside an unauthorised gambling premises, consuming liquor on unlicensed premises and drug possession offences.
