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14 operators fined in VGCCC underage gambling investigation

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Victorian Gambling And Casino Control Commission

In a decisive move against underage gambling, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has wrapped up its most extensive probe to date, highlighting a systemic failure across multiple gambling venues and with one of the leading bookmakers.

The investigation, which spanned over 2,000 hours, resulted in 14 prosecutions, 98 charges, and fines totalling nearly half a million dollars.

The probe was ignited by the distressing account of a Melbourne mother whose then-17-year-old son—already vulnerable due to his neurodiversity—was able to gamble from May 2022 to October 2023.

“Nothing can make up for the harm a Melbourne family experienced,” VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM lamented.

She praised the mother’s courage for coming forward, noting that her decision not only highlighted the risks to vulnerable youth but also paved the way for a sweeping regulatory intervention.

The comprehensive review exposed significant lapses in operator diligence and compliance with legal obligations designed to protect minors.

Court proceedings culminated on February 13 and February 7, when two of the last cases were heard before the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria:

  • Correct Bet Pty Ltd (Coburg TAB Outlet): The operator pleaded guilty to two charges.

    Magistrate Hodgson noted that despite a 14-year history free of convictions, Correct Bet had failed in its duty by allowing a minor to gamble./li>

    The entity was fined $3,000 (without a conviction) and ordered to pay additional VGCCC costs amounting to $5,500.

  • Supreme Edinburgh Pty Ltd (trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick): This operator pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. The fine imposed was $2,500, alongside VGCCC costs of $4,950.

    • Gambling Fines Across Multiple Victorian Venues

    The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern across various establishments. A detailed breakdown of the charges includes:

  • Preston Hotel: 5 charges, resulting in a $15,000 fine.
  • Parkview Hotel: 3 charges, with fines of $4,000.
  • Brunswick Club: 5 charges, fined $7,500.
  • Olympic Hotel: 6 charges, fined $5,000.
  • Northcote TAB: 4 charges, fined $7,000.
  • Tabcorp Wagering: A staggering 43 charges, fined $274,000.
  • Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) across 5 venues: 23 charges leading to fines of $175,000.
  • Edwardes Lake Hotel: 4 charges – while no fine was issued directly, the venue paid $6,000 to a Court Fund intended for a gambling support program.
  • Duke of Edinburgh: 3 charges, fined $2,500.
  • Coburg TAB: 2 charges, fined $3,000.

    • In aggregate, these fines come to a total of $499,000, exclusive of additional court costs.

    VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM stressed that “it is a venue’s responsibility to ensure minors do not access a designated gambling area.”

    The harsh penalties underscore the Commission’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and sending a clear message to the gambling industry: compliance with legal and social obligations is not optional.

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    Topics: VGCCC, Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission

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