Can I refuse to pay winnings by cheque if a patron doesn’t have ID?

This may be difficult for you to explain to a patron, but it’s how we can all help prevent money laundering through gaming venues.

After a big win

Record any win over $10,000 on your venue’s large-wins register. You need to enter:

• payee details (name and identification)
• the amount paid
• the authorisation or validation number of the ticket or book pay
• details of the venue staff member authorising or issuing payment
• copies of other documentation deemed necessary by the venue, such as ticket and identification.

Know we audit this data regularly to identify patrons or networks using your venue and others to clean dirty money.

If they want a cheque or eftpos

Regardless of the amount, record payee details in your cheque register.

If over $10,000, follow the above steps as well.

Both of these require you to verify their identity.

If they can’t produce ID

Leaving this information off your registers is a breach of Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws.

You can refuse to pay, but you must declare this money as unclaimed winnings to the State Revenue Office.

Patrons can later apply to the State Revenue Office to claim the money.

Read more about your obligations

Find out more about Accounting and auditing venue requirements.