Fake ID teen's gambling spree extended to northern Sydney pubs and clubs
A 16-year-old boy whose fake ID gambling spree at Crown and The Star triggered million-dollar fines against both casinos was also using the same fraudulent licence to enter pubs and clubs across Sydney's northern suburbs.
The teenager's visits to Crown and The Star throughout 2025 saw him receive free alcohol and even silver membership status, ultimately prompting the NSW Independent Casino Commission to fine Crown $1.75 million and The Star $500,000. According to the Daily Telegraph, it can now be revealed the boy was also a regular at four venues in the north, including Mosman Club, Dee Why Hotel, Minskys Hotel at Cremorne and Monkey Bar at Chatswood, where he took part in poker tournaments and played the pokies.
Sources told the publication that while both casinos have since agreed to improve ID verification following the NICC action, the teenager's fake licence was able to fool electronic scanners at the pubs and clubs he visited. This raises fresh questions about the ability of sophisticated fake IDs to defeat electronic scanners at venue entrances.
Mosman Club CEO Gerard Boyle said the venue lodged a complaint with NSW Police after becoming aware of the boy's attendance, and said he believed the club had followed its required protocols.
"We are deeply concerned that criminals are producing fake IDs so sophisticated that they can bypass even the most rigorous identification checks, including verification technology and thorough scrutiny by highly trained staff," Boyle said.
"Just as many licensed venues do, Mosman Club requires all patrons to produce a valid form of identification, with a second form of ID required if an individual appears to be under the age of 25 or if staff have any concerns about the validity of the first ID. Entry is refused if staff cannot be satisfied as to the person's age or identity.
"The individual in question appears to have been using such a sophisticated fraudulent ID that he evaded detection.
"Our club has banned him indefinitely and has lodged formal complaints with both Liquor & Gaming NSW and the NSW Police.
"Registered clubs operate under some of the strictest regulatory requirements, and it's alarming when individuals deliberately use fraudulent identification to circumvent those safeguards and place a venue's reputation at risk."
The Daily Telegraph reports the teenager gambled a total of $21,000 across 19 visits to Crown between April and August 2025, all while drinking free alcohol supplied by the venue. He also visited The Star three times, gambling $395 before being identified and stopped on his fourth attempt.
The teenager has been handed a five-year ban from both casinos, though it will not take effect until he turns 18.
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd September 2026
