Victoria venue fined as regulator cracks down on underage gambling

A crackdown on venues that allow underage people to enter poker machine areas is being placed by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

The independent regulator that looks over the gambling industry in Victoria, Australia, has announced that another venue – called the Peninsula Club – has been prosecuted, which has led to the venue owner, Victorian Amateur Turf Club, being fined by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.

The fine was due to two breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) and resulted in the venue owner being ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $3,500. No conviction has been recorded.

“This is a warning to every venue,” the CEO of Commission Annette Kimmitt said. “The onus is on you to ensure that children cannot and do not enter the gambling area or participate in any gambling activity, even if they’re with an adult.

“Equally, staff must be adequately trained and present in the gambling area to supervise while machines are in use.

“Research tells us that people who begin gambling at a young age are at greater risk of developing gambling problems as an adult.

“The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.”

Victoria regulator has prosecuted a total of three venues for underage gambling this year

This all happened after the Commission says a child entered the gambling area of Peninsula Club twice on June 10, 2023, and “was able to use the poker machines on both occasions.”

“During the second visit to the area, while with adults, the child used a poker machine for about 5 minutes, until staff intervened.”

According to the press release which details the matter, Magistrate Ayres considered the venue’s self-reporting, lack of prior convictions, early plea and remediations implemented to reduce the chance of future offending.

This wasn’t the first time a venue has been prosecuted for involving minors, as two other incidents were finalized in court this year. One company was faced with a $3,000 fine, while another was ordered to pay $2,500.

Featured Image: Credit to Richard Ricciardi on Flickr

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