Victoria’s gambling regulator, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), says it has launched disciplinary proceedings against Australia’s largest poker machine operator, Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), for failing to install mandatory pre-commitment technology on 220 poker machines.
The VGCCC announced Friday morning that that ALH will face 62 charges for operating the machines in question for up to five weeks at 62 different venues statewide.
Victoria’s gaming laws require all electronic gaming machines to have mandatory pre-commitment technology YourPlay installed, which gives users the ability to set time and spending limits. While using YourPlay is optional for players, it is mandatory for venues to have it installed and available on all gaming machines in operation.
The breach was allegedly discovered thanks to an anonymous tip-off, with the VGCCC sending inspectors out to multiple locations in December 2021.
Following VGCCC inspections, the company then turned off all 220 non-compliant machines across 62 of its 77 venues, the regulator said.
ALH and an ALH executive officer will now face charges for failing to ensure mandatory player equipment was installed under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, with the company facing fines of up to AU$1.35 million (US$904,000).
“We have decided to prosecute ALH as the alleged breaches constituted serious and significant non-compliance across 80 per cent of all ALH’s Victorian venues,” said VGCCC CEO, Annette Kimmitt.
“Anyone who holds a gambling licence in Victoria is on notice that they must, at a minimum, comply with their legal obligations to protect patrons from gambling harm. Having YourPlay installed and available on electronic gaming machines is a mandatory requirement to support safer gambling.”
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