Melbourne pub faces over $220,000 in fines for gambling offences
A Melbourne pub accused of allowing a minor to gamble faces fines of over $220,000.
The Preston Hotel allegedly let a 16-year-old access betting terminals to place bets on six occasions between May and September 2022.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has charged the pub with 15 offences including allowing a minor to gamble and six counts of failing to reasonably supervise its electronic betting terminals. Three counts of allowing a minor to enter a gambling machine area have also been laid.
The total fines could be $221,904.
The regulator has also charged Tabcorp with four counts of allowing a minor to gamble and four counts of failing to reasonably supervise a gambling vending machine.
Tabcorp faces fines up to $104,000 over the 16-year-old’s alleged gambling.
“It is deeply concerning ... all gambling operators – including venues and the holder of the statewide Wagering and Betting licence – have an irrefutable legal requirement to do everything they can to stop children from gambling,” commission gambling director Glorija Kuzman said.
“One of the most serious harms is minors gambling.”
Tabcorp said it is taking the matter very seriously.
“We’re very focused on managing the unique challenges of cash betting and continue to invest in this area to protect minors by stopping our equipment from being used in this way,” a Tabcorp spokesperson said.
Other venues were also investigated after tip-offs.
Jonathan Jackson, 8th May 2023
