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A man named Nguyen, a former croupier at Crown Casino, has filed a lawsuit. He claims the “negligence of Crown” has led to his cancer diagnosis, resulting in a shorter life expectancy, impaired lung function, and anxiety. The charges include damages, interest, and costs to cover his medical expenses.
Damning Accusations
Nguyen alleges that his work at Crown’s live casino has come at a great cost – his health and, ultimately, his life. He blames the exposure to tobacco smoke during his employment at the casino for his current medical state. Crown Casino, and by extension, the state government, knew the risks posed by tobacco smoke. Despite this, they willingly put workers at risk, Nguyen claims.
In 2007, smoking in indoor public spaces was banned. Still, Crown and the government allegedly continued to subject hundreds of workers and regular patrons to tobacco smoke for well over a decade. Despite a ban on smoking in public spaces, Crown Casino was granted an exemption allowing smoking in their premises. This exemption was only recently scrapped following recommendations from the Finkelstein royal commission.
Towards a Smoke-free Environment
As of March 2021, Crown has publicly committed to transitioning to a smoke-free environment by the end of December 2022. This move towards a healthier environment might be too little too late for some, like Nguyen. Crown’s transition to a smoke-free environment comes alongside other changes, such as the introduction of no wagering bonuses, as the casino looks to revamp its image and operations.
When contacted for a comment about the lawsuit, a spokesperson from Crown Resorts confirmed that they had been informed of the case the previous week. They declined to comment further due to the matter being before the court. As the situation develops, many eyes will be on this case and what it could mean for the future of workplace health and safety in the casino industry.
Nguyen’s lawsuit against Crown Casino is yet another example of the importance of workplace health and safety. It demonstrates what happens when an employer recklessly disregards public health laws to prioritize profit over people’s wellbeing. Nguyen’s case serves as a reminder that employers must take their duty of care seriously, no matter how profitable an industry may be.
