James Packer's Crown Resorts could face fines and have its flagship casino licence stripped or suspended as Victoria's gambling watchdog launches rare disciplinary proceeedings against the listed company for allegedly tampering with poker machines.

The regulator's action against Crown comes after independent federal MP Andrew Wilkie last year tabled whistleblower evidence from former gaming-floor technicians at Crown's casino in Melbourne's Southbank, claiming they had been ordered to make secret alterations to boost losses on poker machines.

Whistleblowers from Crown Melbourne claimed they were ordered to tamper with the pokies. Credit:Josh Robenstone

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation, which investigated the claims, revealed on Monday it had now launched proceedings against Crown on one of the key allegations - that Crown had "blanked" out the buttons for certain low-betting options on poker machines.

"The commission has commenced disciplinary proceedings against the casino operator," a VCGLR spokeswoman said. "These proceedings relate to the use of blanking of buttons on certain electronic gaming machines on the casino floor."