- Published:
- Friday, 11 December 2020 at 1:14 pm
Tabcorp and two hotels in Melbourne’s northern suburbs have been prosecuted for allowing a minor to gamble. The minor gambled more than $2600 on electronic betting terminals (EBTs) at two venues and three TAB agencies on multiple occasions over 16 months.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) conducted an investigation following a complaint made by the minor’s father.
Between March and July 2018, the minor aged 15 and 16 at the time, gambled at three TAB agencies in Preston, Thomastown and Northcote and at the Summerhill Hotel in Reservoir.
Tabcorp was charged with breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (GR Act) by allowing the minor to gamble across the four locations on 25 different occasions.
The Summerhill Hotel was also charged with breaching the same legislation, including charges for failing to reasonably supervise the EBT on which the minor placed bets at the venue on 10 separate occasions.
Between 23 and 24 August 2019, the same minor aged 17, also used EBTs to gamble more than $400 at the same TAB agency in Preston and at the Browns Corner Hotel in Coburg.
The VGCCC charged Tabcorp again for breaching the GR Act by allowing the minor to gamble across the two venues on consecutive days at 10 different times.
The Browns Corner Hotel was also charged with breaching the GR Act, including a charge for not reasonably supervising the EBT where the underage gambling took place at the venue.
The hotel venue operator was further charged for having an unaccompanied minor on its licensed premises contrary to the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.
Tabcorp pleaded guilty in the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court and was fined $23,000 plus ordered to pay costs to the VGCCC of almost $17,500.
VGCCC Compliance Director Adam Ockwell said the outcome reflected community expectations to reduce gambling related harm.
“It’s concerning this happened on multiple occasions and in the absence of the minor being asked to produce ID before using the EBTs. All venues operators and licensees have a responsibility to ensure minors are not exposed to liquor and gambling related harms.”
Magistrate Alger of the Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court heard a guilty plea from the Summerhill Hotel. The hotel venue operator was fined $15,000 plus ordered to pay costs to the VGCCC of $9,251.
The Browns Corner Hotel also pleaded guilty and was fined $5,000 plus ordered to pay costs to the VGCCC of $4,000.
In his sentencing remarks, Magistrate Alger said the two hotel operators’ systems in checking age were deficient at the time of the incidents.
Magistrate Alger indicated that it was the joint responsibility of Tabcorp and each hotel operator to ensure there were no minors gambling on EBTs installed at the venues.
Mr Ockwell said, “With gaming venues reopening after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, compliance inspectors will continue to be on the lookout for minors and checking whether gaming areas are adequately supervised.
“Ensuring safe and responsible gaming and liquor environments also means ensuring patrons and venue operators are making informed and educated decisions about their activities. I am pleased that Tabcorp is taking this matter seriously and is trialling facial recognition technology to help reduce further incidents of underage gambling.
“I also welcome other families who may have concerns to contact the VGCCC. We will investigate as appropriate and hold gaming venues and licensees to account,” said Mr Ockwell.
In March 2020, the minor was charged in the Children’s Court for breaching the GR Act by gambling as a minor and using fake ID.
The minor was ordered to complete a Children’s Court diversion program with conditions that focussed on his gambling behaviour.
Updated