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Venue staff should have taken action to monitor customer’s alcohol consumption
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) has fined Crown Sydney’s property company $40,000 following a serious intoxication incident at its licensed premises on the ground floor of Crown’s Barangaroo precinct.
Crown Sydney’s property company does not operate the Barangaroo casino. It is responsible for property operations, including holding the liquor licence for its fine dining restaurants. Woodcut is independently managed under the Crown property liquor licence.
In May 2025, a female patron at the Woodcut restaurant became severely intoxicated after consuming a substantial amount of alcohol over a three-and-a-half-hour period.
The patron was served a combination of hard spirits, cocktails and wine. She became physically impaired to the point that she required wheelchair assistance to return to her hotel room.
The NICC found Crown Sydney’s property company had permitted intoxication on its licensed premises and supplied liquor to an intoxicated person in breach of the liquor provisions of the Casino Control Regulation 2019.
NICC Chief Commissioner Philip Crawford said it was extremely concerning that the patron continued to have access to, and consume alcohol, after observable signs of intoxication arose.
“Venue staff should have taken action to monitor this patron’s alcohol consumption and intervene once it became apparent that she was consuming alcohol rapidly, and in a way likely to cause intoxication,” Mr Crawford said.
“There were multiple opportunities in this case for staff to cease the service of alcohol, offer the patron non-alcoholic alternatives, remove the remaining alcohol from the table or otherwise intervene.”
“There are clear expectations for the responsible service of alcohol, not only within casino precincts but across all licenced venues in NSW. It is simply unacceptable for anyone to be served such a large quantity of alcohol at that pace.”
The matter was investigated by Liquor and Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), which referred the matter to the NICC for consideration of disciplinary action under the under the liquor provisions of the Casino Control Regulation 2019.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Dimitri Argeres said the matter highlighted the need for venues to identify signs of intoxication early and intervene to prevent harm.
“Intoxication can lead to patrons experiencing serious harm and Liquor & Gaming NSW will respond to breaches of liquor laws at any licensed venue across the state,” Mr Argeres said.
“The evidence here revealed clear failures to intervene when signs of intoxication became apparent, which led to the matter being referred to the NSW Independent Casino Commission for disciplinary action.”
“Licensed venues must actively monitor patrons and cease service when signs of intoxication emerge. These obligations are in place to reduce harm and ensure patron safety.”
Under the Casino Control Regulation 2019, the NICC may take disciplinary action against a liquor licensee and impose a monetary penalty of up to $55,000 or $110,000 where circumstances of aggravation exist.
