The final case of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC)’s most comprehensive action to date for underage gambling was heard at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, Australia, on Thursday, February 13.
More than 2,000 hours of investigations, 14 prosecutions against 10 entities, 98 charges and fines totalling half-a-million dollars concluded with the case of a teenager who was not prevented from gambling despite his neurodiversity putting him at further risk of gambling harm.
“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,” VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said.
“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.
“When 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.”
Correct Bet Pty, the operator of the Coburg TAB outlet, pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined AU$3,000 without conviction and ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $5,500.
Magistrate Hodgson considered that Correct Bet had no prior convictions in 14 years of operation across multiple venues and had implemented additional measures, including staff training, mobile phone policy changes and regular CCTV monitoring.
Separately, on Friday February 7, Supreme Edinburgh Pty, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, pleaded guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to three counts of breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. The operator was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $4,950.
“It is a venue’s responsibility to ensure minors do not access a designated gambling area, let alone gamble, no matter how determined or convincing a child might be,” said Kimmitt.
