The Melbourne Magistrates’ Court has ordered Tabcorp to pay a AU$370,417 fine in relation to 43 charges brought against the company by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
According to an announcement released by the VGCCC, the charges were a result of an investigation that revealed that Tabcorp had failed to supervise its electronic betting terminals. This allowed a 17 year old minor to access the machines and place wagers on multiple occasions from May 2022 to October 2023.
The best were placed at various locations with Tabcorp betting machines. The investigation listed the locations as:
- Albion Charles Hotel
- Brunswick Club
- Coburg TAB Agency
- Cramers Hotel
- Doncaster Hotel
- Duke of Edinburgh Hotel
- Edwardes Lake Hotel
- Excelsior Hotel
- Northcote TAB Agency
- Olympic Hotel
- Parkview Hotel
- Preston Hotel
- Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel
The company pled guilty to all charges.
Speaking of the fine, VGCCC CEO, Annette Kimmitt AM said:
“The breaches committed by Tabcorp are incredibly serious, reflecting a fundamental failure to protect minors from the risks associated with gambling, as well as a lack of vigilance on their part. These failures undermine the integrity and safety of the industry.
Gambling providers and their staff are on the frontline of our efforts to prevent underage gambling. It is their duty to rigorously check IDs and supervise gambling activities to ensure minors are not able to access these services. Their vigilance is crucial in safeguarding young people from the harms of gambling.
It is imperative that all stakeholders in the gambling industry understand the gravity of this issue and take their responsibilities seriously to prevent such harm.
The VGCCC is committed to protecting the community and ensuring that all gambling operations adhere to the highest standards of conduct. We will continue to take decisive action in upholding the safety and wellbeing of our community, particularly when it comes to children.”
Latest in a String of Charges for Tabcorp
Tabcorp also faces more charges in relation to minors gambling. In September 2023, the VGCCC announced that it had brought 57 charges against the company, 27 of which involved children gambling on pokie machines.
Minors were found to have accessed machines at eight venues between September 8th and November 1st 2022.
Prior to this, the VGCCC fined Tabcorp Wagering AU$1 million ($639,231 million/€597,274 million) for non-compliance with commission directions.
The fine related to Tabcorp’s betting system being unavailable for use for around 36 hours during the 2020 Spring Racing Carnival.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.
Tabcorp, one of Australia’s largest gambling companies, has recently been fined by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allowing minors to gamble at their venues. The fine, which amounts to $100,000, comes as a result of an investigation conducted by the VGCCC into Tabcorp’s practices.
The investigation found that Tabcorp had failed to adequately verify the age of individuals entering their gambling venues, leading to minors being able to access and participate in gambling activities. This is a serious breach of the regulations put in place to protect vulnerable individuals from the harms of gambling.
In response to the fine, Tabcorp has issued a statement acknowledging their mistake and committing to improving their age verification processes. They have also stated that they will be implementing additional training for staff to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
The VGCCC has welcomed Tabcorp’s response and stated that they will be monitoring the company closely to ensure that they are complying with all regulations moving forward. They have also urged other gambling companies to take note of this incident and ensure that they are taking all necessary steps to prevent minors from accessing their services.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible gambling practices and the need for companies in the industry to be vigilant in preventing underage gambling. It also highlights the role that regulatory bodies play in enforcing these practices and holding companies accountable when they fail to meet their obligations.
Overall, this fine serves as a warning to all gambling companies that the VGCCC will not tolerate breaches of regulations related to underage gambling and will take action against those who fail to comply. It is a reminder that protecting vulnerable individuals, especially minors, should be a top priority for all companies in the gambling industry.
