Woolworths used staff to spy on pokie players: whistleblowers
Whistleblowers have accused Woolworths of keeping notes on customers and using staff to spy on poker machine players to encourage them to stay in the venues longer.
This would maximise their losses – and the company’s profit.
Independent MP Andrew Wilkie, an outspoken anti-pokies campaigner, has spoken to whistleblowers and he has produced obtained evidence showing pub staff shared the habits of problem gamblers across hundreds of venues owned by Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group.
Whistleblowers told Wilkie staff would record the gambling and drinking habits, favourite sporting teams, and the “ins and outs” of regular gamblers’ lives.
Wilkie told parliament staff were instructed to write down detailed personal information about high-turnover gamblers,
The information was stored on a widely accessible Google drive. It was then used to keep gamblers at Woolworths-owned pokies for longer.
"In all of these venues, there are some staff who record personal information about poker machine players without their knowledge and share it electronically with the other venues," Senator Wilkie told the parliament.
"This isn't just basic information - we're talking about things like jobs, the times people come in, favourite drinks, favourite football teams, whether they have a partner and what their preferred bet level is. And all to one end: to help staff better bond with patrons to keep people on site and gambling longer.
“We shouldn’t blame the staff at these venues because I’m told they well understand that the practice is deeply unethical. Indeed, the staff hate that they’re being forced by Woolworths to spy on people and use the personal information to increase gambling, even though this is creating new pokie addicts.”
Woolworths told Guardian Australia it was investigating the claims.
We have commenced an investigation to ascertain what occurred as we take our responsibilities in providing responsible service of gaming and alcohol most seriously,” a spokesman told Guardian Australia.
Leon Getler 28th February 2018
