15 Jan

Gambling News

The Victoria regulator mandates Tabcorp to convert the majority of betting terminals to cashless transactions.

The Victoria gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has mandated that Tabcorp convert the majority of its electronic betting terminals (EBTs) in Australia to cashless systems due to numerous occurrences of underage gaming.
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Beginning in late January, over 70% of the 1,800 Tabcorp EBTs in Victoria will exclusively take vouchers. The rule pertains to all EBTs, excluding those located within five meters and in the direct line of sight of the counter. 

Players must acquire a voucher at the counter to access the cashless machines. They will undergo identification verification to confirm their legal age for gambling on EBTs.

The verdict mandates Tabcorp to implement an impartial "mystery shopper" program to verify that venues are properly validating identification.

If Tabcorp does not adhere to these regulations, it may encounter increasing penalties. Potential measures may involve converting all EBTs in noncompliant establishments to vouchers for a duration of six months and cancelling contracts with those establishments.

VGCCC condemns “inexcusable” violations
“Accepting a wager from a minor is unacceptable, and more stringent measures are necessary to safeguard the community, particularly children, from the detrimental effects of gambling,” states VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt.

“Venue personnel serve as the primary safeguard in shielding minors from gambling.” We have implemented decisive actions in response to their failure to assume their obligations earnestly.

“These enhanced identity verifications not only constitute an additional obstacle to permitting children to gamble but will also aid in the prevention of money laundering. The VGCCC will diligently oversee these protections to mitigate harm, and venues must acknowledge and fulfil their responsibility of care to the community.

Tabcorp is confronting 72 allegations of underage gaming.
The directive follows the VGCCC's charges against Tabcorp and nine locations for facilitating underage gambling over the preceding eight months. These pertain to permitting a minor in a gaming machine area and gambling, as well as neglecting to adequately oversee EBTs.

The initial case was adjudicated in court in December. A magistrate imposed a punishment of AU$25,300 (£13,240/€15,398/US$16,873) on the Preston Hotel for permitting a 16-year-old to bet using EBTs in 2022.

Tabcorp and the other eight locations are charged with allegedly permitting a minor to engage in gambling activities. The purported violations of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 occurred between September 2022 and October 2023.

The eight remaining sites identified in the lawsuit are the Olympic Hotel, Brunswick Club, Edwardes Lake Hotel, Parkview Hotel, Albion Charles Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel, and Northcote TAB Agency.

Tabcorp is confronted with a total of 72 charges. If convicted, the operators may incur a potential aggregate penalty exceeding $1.0 million, while Tabcorp's penalty may reach $969,236.

The subsequent matter will be presented before the Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 24 January.

Victoria enforcing regulations on violators 
The cashless EBT directive represents the most recent measure implemented by the VGCCC to tackle regulatory violations inside the state.

Among those facing accusations is Rumotel, the operator of the Tower Hotel in Victoria. Rumotel may incur an additional penalty of up to AU$1.4 million for purportedly violating responsible gaming regulations.

The VGCCC asserts that Rumotel did not guarantee the presence of a responsible gambling officer at all times on the gaming floor. Rumotel is also accused of failing to adequately maintain a responsible gaming register.

The VGCCC subsequently levied three further charges against the Tower Hotel operator. These ensued from 35 allegations lodged against the operator in September for purportedly violating gambling control regulations.