Mounties, one of Australia’s largest club groups, allowed 13 customers to launder as much as A$226 million ($144 million) through poker machines over five years, according to new reporting by The Sydney Morning Herald. 

The alleged laundering took place at Mount Pritchard District and Community Club and the smaller Mekong Club in Cabramatta between 2019 and 2024, with customers presenting themselves as housewives, retirees, childcare workers, tradies, and unemployed players while channeling tens of millions of dollars through the venues’ gaming machines, according to the newspaper, which cited internal documents and other records. 

AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial crimes watchdog, is suing Mounties in federal court for alleged breaches of anti-money-laundering and counterterrorism financing laws, arguing the club group failed to do enough to prevent, detect, and disrupt criminal networks operating on its gaming floors, the Herald said. 

An agreed statement of facts filed last month said Mounties downplayed the money-laundering risks posed by poker machines, failed to establish the source of funds used by suspicious players, allowed customers flagged by Liquor and Gaming NSW to remain, and in some cases falsely stated that ongoing relationships with suspect patrons had been reviewed and approved, according to the report.

Among the cases detailed by the Herald, one customer who listed their occupation as “home duties” was allowed to put A$40 million through poker machines over four years, averaging about A$39,000 per visit. Another player described as unemployed allegedly put A$17.3 million through the machines and was the subject of nearly 30 suspicious matter reports, while a separate customer generated 38 such reports before Mounties terminated the membership, and only after AUSTRAC showed interest.

The Herald said suspicious patrons were often treated as “valued players,” receiving perks including priority parking, box office tickets and VIP lounge access. In one instance, a duty manager did not document a verbal warning issued to a high-risk customer because they did not want to upset an important patron, according to the report. 

Read more at The Sydney Morning Herald