Several days ago, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced that it has decided to charge the local gambling giant Tabcorp and the Preston Hotel for permitting an underage individual to gamble. The probe now continues into other venues across the state.
The investigation has alleged that the Preston Hotel’s staff members allowed a minor, aged 16, to access EGTs (so-called electronic gaming terminals) to place bets there and gamble on six occasions in the period from May to September 2022.
The probe was officially launched by the state’s gambling regulatory body after receiving a complaint that a minor had been allowed to gamble.
As a result, the Preston Hotel is set to face 15 charges, with six counts of allowing an underage individual to gamble and another six counts of failing to ensure reasonable supervision of the electronic gambling terminals hosted there. The hotel will also be hit by three other charges for allowing a minor to access a gaming machine area. According to experts, the aforementioned charges could attract a maximum fine of 1,200 penalty units, or in other words, AU$221,904.
Tabcorp, on the other hand, is set to face eight charges as the current holder of the statewide wagering and betting licence. Four of the charges are for allowing an underage individual to gamble and the other four – are for the gambling company’s failure to reasonably supervise an electronic gambling machine. The Australian gambling giant could attract a maximum fine of 560 penalty units, which equals more than AU$103,500.
VGCCC Does Not Allow Minors to Gamble on Electronic Gaming Machines
As mentioned above, there are some ongoing investigations into additional venues. The probes in question may result in further charges for Tabcorp and the Preston Hotel.
At the time the charges were officially unveiled Glorija Kuzman, the Gambling Director at the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission, shared it was deeply concerning that an underage person had been able to access electronic gambling machines and actually bet on multiple occasions. Ms Kuzman further reminded that all gambling operators, including the holder of the wagering and betting licence of the state and venues hosting such terminals, are legally required by the current legislative and regulatory regime to do everything they can in order to prevent minors from gambling.
The VGCCC Gambling Director also noted that minors gambling was one of the most serious gambling-related harms in the country. That is exactly why all gaming venues need to make sure they do not allow underage individuals to place bets and ask everyone they suspect could be under the legal age to gamble to provide identification.
Electronic gambling terminals are a legal form of gambling in the state of Victoria. So, all venues that host such products are required to make sure the machines are not easy to access and use. Tabcorp and operators of venues hosting electronic gaming terminals are required to provide the necessary supervision for the machines at all times.
- Author
Olivia Cole
