- Published:
- Monday 24 February 2025 at 9:00 am
“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,” Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said today.
Her comment followed the conclusion of the regulator’s most comprehensive action to date for underage gambling – more than 2,000 hours of investigations, 14 prosecutions against 10 entities, 98 charges and fines totalling half-a-million dollars.
The VGCCC investigation was prompted by concerns reported by the mother of the then 17-year-old, whose neurodiversity, in addition to his age, put him at high risk of gambling harm.
“I can only imagine how difficult it was for the mother to come to us and I commend her for doing so,” Ms Kimmitt said. “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.”
The final case was heard before the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria on Thursday 13 February. Correct Bet Pty Ltd, the operator of the Coburg TAB outlet, pleaded guilty to two charges and was fined $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 7 February, Supreme Edinburgh Pty Ltd, 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,” Ms Kimmitt said.
“We welcome the outcome of these court hearings, which bring to a close all prosecutions involving this family. Unfortunately, the family’s recovery from this experience is likely to take a lot longer and leave a painful scar.”
Complete list of entities, charges and fines:
| Related prosecutions | Aggregate fine only (not inclusive of court costs) |
Preston Hotel (5 charges)
| $15,000 |
Parkview Hotel (3 charges):
| $4,000 |
The Brunswick Club (5 charges):
| $7,500 |
Olympic Hotel (6 charges):
| $5,000 |
Northcote TAB (4 charges):
| $7,000 |
Tabcorp Wagering (43 charges):
| $274,000 |
Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) (23 charges across 5 venues: Albion Charles Hotel, Cramers Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, and The Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel):
| $175,000 |
Edwardes Lake Hotel (4 charges):
| No fine. Matter was an adjourned undertaking. Paid $6,000 to a Court Fund with the intention that money be allocated to a gambling support program. |
Duke of Edinburgh (3 charges):
| $2,500 |
Coburg TAB (2 charges):
| $3,000 |
| TOTAL: | $499,000 |
Updated