Tabcorp and eight other venues are facing charges from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allowing minors to gamble on their premises. Tabcorp alone is charged with 54 violations of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, 27 of which involve letting minors gamble and failing to supervise electronic betting terminals.
The VGCCC investigation revealed that these violations occurred between September 8 and November 1, 2022. The other venues facing charges include the Olympic Hotel, Brunswick Club, Edwardes Lake Hotel, Parkview Hotel, Albion Charles Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, and Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel.
The venue operators are accused of allowing minors in gaming areas, permitting underage gambling, and failing to supervise electronic betting terminals. The Northcote TAB agency is also charged with the latter two violations.
Annette Kimmitt AM, CEO of VGCCC, emphasized the seriousness of allowing minors to gamble and the responsibility of gambling venues to verify customers’ age. The investigation was prompted by public reports of potential breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act.
If found guilty in court, the operators could face a collective fine exceeding AU$1m (US$0.64m), with Tabcorp facing a maximum fine of $698,997.60. On a positive note, Tabcorp recently resolved a tax dispute and received a refund of AU$83m (US$53.4m) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).