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GRA's Role in Patron Disputes

One of the key roles of the Gambling Regulatory Authority (GRA) is to ensure that gambling in the casinos is conducted honestly. Under Section 111 of the Casino Control Act 2006, GRA will investigate into the following types of patron disputes between a casino operator and a patron of the casino: -

1. Disputes as to alleged winnings;
2. Disputes as to alleged losses; or
3. Disputes as to the manner in which any casino gambling is conducted.

Principles in Patron Dispute Resolution

If a casino operator fails to resolve a patron dispute relating to alleged winnings or losses, and/or the manner in which any casino gambling is conducted, the patron can request a GRA Inspector to investigate.

A GRA Inspector is empowered under the law to conduct investigations into a casino patron dispute to determine whether payment should be made.

The GRA Inspector will consider the following when investigating into a casino patron dispute:

Conduct of Casino Gambling

Whether the casino operator had conducted the casino gambling in accordance with the Casino Control (Conduct of Casino Gambling) Regulations and approved rules. GRA Inspectors may also consider other relevant information or documents, such as the casino operator’s house rules.  

Casino Gambling Declared Void

Whether the casino operator had declared any casino gambling void in accordance with the Casino Control (Conduct of Casino Gambling) Regulations.

A casino operator may declare any casino gambling void in one or more of the following situations:

• malfunction, fault or interruption in the operation of any gaming machine, gaming program or gaming equipment that affects the outcome of the casino gambling;
• force majeure event (e.g., flood in the casino);
• a casino operator knows or reasonably suspects that a patron is committing or has committed an offence that may affect the outcome of the casino gambling; and
• other circumstances as provided for in the approved rules.

When any casino gambling is declared void:

1. All wagers will be refunded to patrons; and
2. A casino operator may recover any winnings from affected patrons if patrons had been clearly informed of the circumstances under which, and the means by which, winnings will be recovered.

Verification of Wagers Placed

Whether wagers had been placed in accordance with the approved rules.

Patrons would be entitled to their winnings only if they had placed wagers in accordance with the approved rules.

For example, wagers must be placed before the Dealer signals the closing of wagers and announces, “No more bets”. Any attempts to place wagers after this will not be accepted by the casino, and patrons will not be entitled to any winnings arising from such wagers.

Ordering of Payment

A GRA Inspector may order payment to be made to either the patron or the casino operator only when the outcome of casino gambling can be determined.

The amount of the payment will depend on the amount of wagers placed by the patron, outcome of casino gambling and the payouts that should have been given based on the outcome of casino gambling.

(1) Situations where outcome of casino gambling can be determined

The correct outcome of casino gambling will be determined in accordance with the approved rules.

(2) Situations where outcome of casino gambling cannot be determined

Examples where outcome(s) of casino gambling cannot be clearly determined are as follows:

• The outcome of casino gambling is affected due to a malfunction, fault or interruption in the operation of a gaming machine, gaming program or gaming equipment. In such situations, the casino gambling will be declared void under Regulation 15(1) of the Casino Control (Conduct of Casino Gambling) Regulations;
• A foreign/damaged playing card is discovered during the round of play; or
• When a patron refuses to make a decision which he is required to make in the course of any casino gambling.

The GRA Inspector is not empowered to order other alternative remedies, such as allowing the patron to re-play a casino game, re-play a bonus round on a gaming machine or gaming program, or receive other forms of compensation from a casino.

Besides having recourse to the patron dispute resolution process provided under the Casino Control Act 2006, a patron may choose to seek resolution of a dispute with a casino operator through other means, such as mediation, or by a civil suit in court.

Dispute Resolution Process

Find out more about the various stages of a Casino Patron Dispute below:

Patron dispute arises as to alleged winnings, alleged losses or the manner in which any casino gambling is conducted. Patron raises the issue with the casino operator.

If there is no resolution of the patron dispute between the patron and the casino operator, the casino operator shall inform the patron of his right to request for a GRA Inspector to investigate into the dispute. The patron may, not later than 7 days after he has been informed of his right, complete and submit a Casino Patron Dispute Form to GRA.

A GRA Inspector will investigate and determine whether payment should be made. If the patron or casino operator is dissatisfied with the decision of the GRA Inspector, the patron or casino operator may appeal to the Patron Dispute Committee by completing and submitting a Reconsideration Form to the Patron Dispute Committee. Please refer to the Reconsideration Process.

The Patron Dispute Committee will reconsider the decision of the GRA Inspector and decide whether to confirm, vary or reverse the decision of the GRA Inspector. The decision of the Patron Dispute Committee is final.