Australia’s largest pokies operator has been slapped with a six-figure positive for operating a whole bunch of machines with no obligatory pre-commitment function.
After an nameless tip-off in late 2021, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission carried out a blitz inspection of Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group venues throughout Victoria.
The watchdog recognized and turned off 220 pokies throughout 62 venues that didn’t have YourPlay, a statewide pre-commitment scheme permitting gamers to set time and loss limits.
A Justice of the Peace ordered the corporate to pay a $550,000 positive, in addition to the regulator’s $50,000 authorized prices, after discovering the breaches to be severe and wilful.
An early responsible plea and co-operation with the regulator had been cited as components within the Justice of the Peace lowering the positive from the utmost of $1.35 million.
Despite the lesser penalty, the watchdog’s chief government Annette Kimmitt welcomed the decision.
“This outcome demonstrates the VGCCC’s commitment to pursuing those operators who opportunistically or deliberately contravene their obligations to protect the community from gambling harm,” Ms Kimmitt mentioned in a press release on Friday.
“Gambling providers need to pay close attention to their obligations because the consequences for getting it wrong can be significant.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
