Crown has been slapped with a $20 million fine for failing to pay its fair share of Victoria’s casino tax.

Victoria’s royal commission into Crown Melbourne found the casino giant improperly claimed tax deductions by including the costs of certain promotional activities as amounts paid out as winnings.

It also sought to deliberately conceal the nature of these deductions from the regulator.

The practice was highlighted during the 2021 royal commission, with Crown accepting it was wrong to claim the tax deductions and since reimbursing the state about $61.5m.

A further $20m fine was issued by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission on Friday.

“Not only did Crown breach its obligations by claiming tax deductions to which it was not entitled, Crown also made significant efforts at concealment,” Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission chair Fran Thorn said in a statement.

“The VGCCC will not tolerate this behaviour.

“We expect licensees to comply with their tax obligations and to be transparent in their dealings with us.”

The Victorian regulator has imposed $250m worth of fines on Crown following revelations from the royal commission.

– AAP