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Tabcorp was ordered to make the majority of its Electronic Betting Terminals cashless after multiple incidents where a minor used them to gamble.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has issued a directive statewide that Tabcorp’s gaming terminals are not allowed to accept cash bets until they are within 5 metres and in line of sight.
From late January 2024, approximately 70 percent of Tabcorp’s 1800 Electronic Betting Terminals in Victoria will only accept vouchers.
For these terminals to work, customers must first go to the counter and obtain a voucher.
Tabcorp was also directed to launch an independent “mystery-shopper” program to ensure that venues were checking ID appropriately. Tabcorp will impose a series of increasing penalties on venues that fail to comply with these new requirements, including switching all EBTs at the venue to voucher mode for a period of six months and terminating their agreements.
In the last eight months, VGCCC charged Tabcorp and nine venues for offences relating to allowing minors to enter a gaming area, allowing minors to gamble, or failing to supervise Electronic Betting Terminals. The first case, heard in court in November, saw the Magistrate fine the Preston Hotel, $25,300, for allowing a 16-year old to gamble on betting terminals by 2022.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM stated that the increased requirements were in response to repeated breaches despite warnings from the industry. She said that accepting a bet by a minor was unacceptable and more action is needed to protect the public, particularly children, from gambling harm.
The venue staff is the first line in defence when it comes to protecting minors against gambling. We have taken action where venue staff have not taken their responsibilities seriously.
She said that the stronger checks on identity will not only help prevent money laundering, but also provide an additional barrier for allowing children to play gambling.
Venues should act and take note to maintain their duty of care to the community.
The charges against Tabcorp, and the eight remaining venues, relate to the alleged allowing of a minor gamble in violation of the Gambling Regulation Act (2003), between 8 September and 20 October 2023.
Tabcorp is facing 72 charges for allowing minors to gamble, and for failing to supervise their Electronic Betting Terminals.
Tabcorp, if found guilty, could be fined up to $969,236.40.
