Crown fined $300K over pokie tampering

Crown has been fined $300,000 by the Victorian gambling regulator over the tampering of poker machines at its Melbourne casino.

The action relates to a trial last year, when betting options on machines were disabled so only minimum and maximum betting options were available.

In a statement on Friday, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation said the actions varied the gaming machines, and therefore the move had required its approval.

"Crown's failure to obtain approval means it has contravened the Gambling Regulation Act 2003," it said in a statement on Friday.

"This is the largest fine the commission has issued to Crown and reflects the seriousness with which it considers the matter."