National

Pokies giant to pay up for gambling control breaches

By AAP Newswire

Aug 25, 2023

Man plays a poker machine. — Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group ran hundreds of pokies without compulsory control features. -AAP Image

Australia's largest pokies operator has been slapped with a six-figure fine for running hundreds of machines without a compulsory pre-commitment feature.

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After an anonymous tip-off in late 2021, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission conducted a blitz inspection of Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group venues across Victoria.

The watchdog identified and turned off 220 pokies across 62 venues that did not have YourPlay, a statewide pre-commitment scheme allowing players to set time and loss limits.

A magistrate ordered the company to pay a $550,000 fine, as well as the regulator's $50,000 legal costs, after finding the breaches to be serious and wilful.

An early guilty plea and co-operation with the regulator were cited as factors in the magistrate reducing the fine from the maximum of $1.35 million.

Despite the lesser penalty, the watchdog's chief executive Annette Kimmitt welcomed the verdict.

"This outcome demonstrates the VGCCC's commitment to pursuing those operators who opportunistically or deliberately contravene their obligations to protect the community from gambling harm," Ms Kimmitt said in a statement on Friday.

"Gambling providers need to pay close attention to their obligations because the consequences for getting it wrong can be significant."

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press