19/06/2026
🚨 SkyCity Adelaide Hit With $21 Million Fine — Regulator Says “Completely Unacceptable”
South Australia has issued one of the biggest fines in its history:
AU$21 million (US$14M) against SkyCity Adelaide for years of failures in AML controls, harm minimisation, and oversight.
Regulators found the casino had accepted “soiled” cash, allowed customers linked to organised crime, loan‑sharking, human trafficking and s*x slavery, and repeatedly prioritised revenue over compliance between 2016–2022.
This comes on top of the AU$67M (US$45M) AUSTRAC penalty already handed down last year.
🔧 What SkyCity must now do
* Phase out cash transactions over $4,999 (US$3,500)
* Appoint an independent compliance auditor
* Maintain a permanent junket ban
* Shift to a majority‑independent board by 2028
* Report any significant breaches within 5 business days
* Accept legally binding directions from the regulator — even at the parent‑company level
🏛️ Regulator’s message
“These failings were completely unacceptable. Future non‑compliance will not be tolerated.”
🏢 SkyCity’s response
The company says it has overhauled leadership, culture, and governance, calling the settlement a “full and final” reset of its compliance obligations.
