Victorian regulator dishes out A$499,000 in fines over underage betting violations
Several online and land-based operators hit with penalties by state regulator after investigation into underage gambling finds numerous failings
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has completed its lengthy investigation into underage gambling failings and handed out A$499,000 worth of fines to both land-based and online operators.
The process included more than 2,000 hours of investigations, 98 separate charges and 14 prosecutions against 10 different entities.
The case was first prompted by the mother of a 17-year-old boy who was able to gamble multiple times between May 2022 and October 2023 and regarded as at high-risk of gambling harm due to both his age and neurodiversity.
Her concerns sparked action from the VGCCC, with the regulatory body’s findings highlighting systemic player protection failures from multiple operators.
Tabcorp racked up the highest amount of penalty payments, with the firm fined A$274,000 for 43 separate charges, including 30 cases of allowing a minor to gamble and 13 of failing to supervise.
Land-based Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) was the firm with the second largest number of fines to pay.
It faced 23 charges across five of its venues, including three for allowing a minor to enter a gaming machine area, all of which amounted to a A$175,000 fine.
The regulatory action concluded earlier this month on 13 February after Correct Bet pleaded guilty to two charges before the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.
The firm behind the Coburg TAB Outlet was fined A$3,000 and ordered to pay the VGCCC A$5,500 in costs.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said: “Nothing can make up for the harm a Melbourne family experienced as a result of the failure by multiple operators to prevent a young teen from gambling between May 2022 and October 2023.
“I can only imagine how difficult it was for the mother to come to us, and I commend her for doing so.
“I hope the outcomes and conclusion of these proceedings bring her some comfort, following the significant trauma she and her family have gone through.”
Kimmitt stressed the need for operators to adhere to the regulator’s requirements. She added: “When the industry is not diligent about complying with its legal and social obligations, the consequences for everyday Victorians can be serious and long-lasting, which is why the VGCCC is determined to hold operators to account.
“We welcome the outcome of these court hearings, which bring to a close all prosecutions involving this family. Unfortunately, the family’s recovery from this experience is likely to take a lot longer and leave a painful scar.”
In August 2024, Tabcorp was hit with its largest ever fine, issued by the VGCCC over repeated responsible gambling and gambling-related harm prevention failings within Victoria.
The A$4.6m punishment came after the VGCCC found the operator had breached Victoria’s Wagering and Betting Licence and Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct between August 2020 and February 2023.
Two months prior, the VGCCC fined Tabcorp A$370,000 for allowing a minor to place bets at several of its bricks-and-mortar locations.