A 16-year-old boy using a sophisticated counterfeit driver's licence gambled at Sydney casinos on 22 separate occasions, prompting $2.25 million in combined fines to Crown Sydney and Star Sydney, The Age reports. The teenager also visited at least seven clubs and pubs where he played poker machines and entered tournaments, but those venues have not been penalised, partly because they lack the mandatory card-based identity systems required at casinos.

Liquor & Gaming NSW said it is making inquiries into the non-casino venues but did not pursue the allegations as vigorously as it did at the casinos. The agency would need to review extensive CCTV footage to build a case, which may no longer exist. Clubs NSW said venues should not face penalties if a minor used a convincing fake ID and staff took reasonable steps to verify identity, and called for stronger action against ID manufacturers.