ALH Fined AU$177,500 in Victoria for Underage Gambling

The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) has been hit with a AU$177,500 fine by the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allowing minors to gamble at multiple venues. This significant penalty underscores Victoria’s zero-tolerance approach to underage gambling violations, reinforcing the state’s commitment to ensuring the safety of young people. Read on to learn how this decision could impact gambling regulation in the region.

ALH Fined AU$177,500 for Underage Gambling Breaches Across Multiple Venues in Victoria

In a decisive regulatory action, the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) AU$177,500 for allowing underage gambling across several venues. The penalty comes after ALH pleaded guilty to 24 charges of underage gambling breaches, marking a severe breach of Victoria’s gambling laws.

The breaches occurred at six venues, including the Albion Charles Hotel, Cramers Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel, and Westside Taverner. The VGCCC’s primary concern centered around a teenager who was able to gamble repeatedly at five of these venues between September 2022 and October 2023.

Key Points:

1. Fined AU$177,500: ALH was fined for allowing a teenager to gamble on multiple occasions and for permitting a child to enter a restricted gambling area.
2. Wider Regulatory Failures: The VGCCC reprimanded ALH for failing to adequately supervise electronic betting terminals.
3. Zero Tolerance for Underage Gambling: The VGCCC reiterated its strict approach to protecting minors from the dangers of gambling.

The situation escalated further when an eight-year-old was allowed to enter the poker machine area at Westside Taverner, accompanied by an adult. Though staff intervened and reported the incident to the VGCCC, it marked a clear violation of state law, which prohibits minors from accessing any gambling area.

As part of the penalties, ALH was issued a AU$175,000 fine for the teenager’s multiple gambling incidents and an additional AU$2,500 fine for the child entering the restricted area. In addition, ALH has been ordered to pay AU$45,000 in costs.

Victoria’s Strict Regulatory Approach

Annette Kimmitt, CEO of the VGCCC, welcomed the penalties, emphasizing the regulator’s zero tolerance for operators who breach the law, especially when children are involved. “Minors who gamble are more likely to experience severe harm from gambling as adults,” Kimmitt stated, adding that venues have a “legal and social obligation” to prevent underage gambling.

Despite ALH staff taking action when they became aware of the child in the poker machine area, Kimmitt stressed that it is “never acceptable” for a minor to gain access to a gambling area in the first place. The VGCCC’s strict stance sends a clear message to operators that underage gambling breaches will not be tolerated.

A History of Regulatory Breaches

This is not the first time ALH has found itself facing penalties in Victoria. At the end of 2023, the group was fined AU$480,000 for breaching operational rules, and earlier in the same year, ALH faced another AU$550,000 fine for breaking gambling control regulations.

The latest prosecution is part of a broader effort by the VGCCC to address underage gambling. Several other venues and operators have also faced fines, including the Preston Hotel (AU$25,300) and Tabcorp, which was ordered to pay AU$370,417. The VGCCC’s actions highlight the regulator’s ongoing commitment to ensuring compliance within the industry.

Industry Implications

For ALH and other gambling operators in Victoria, this latest ruling serves as a stark reminder of the stringent regulatory environment governing the state’s gambling industry. The VGCCC’s robust enforcement actions reflect a wider crackdown on compliance breaches, particularly those involving vulnerable individuals such as minors.

As the VGCCC continues its mission to clamp down on regulatory violations, operators will need to be vigilant in ensuring their venues adhere to Victoria’s gambling laws. The fines issued to ALH and other venues are likely to have a chilling effect across the industry, reinforcing the importance of compliance and oversight in gambling operations.

The AU$177,500 fine levied against ALH by the VGCCC is the latest chapter in Victoria’s ongoing effort to ensure the safety of minors and uphold strict gambling regulations. This action, along with previous fines against the group, underscores the serious consequences of underage gambling breaches and highlights the importance of rigorous compliance measures within the gambling industry. As Victoria’s regulators continue to tighten oversight, gambling operators must prioritize compliance to avoid similar penalties.