Paul Whitehead, Mortdale Hotel licensee, has been found guilty of violating the Gaming Machines Act 2001 by forcing the patrons of his establishment to exit through the gaming room. The licensee pleaded guilty in the Downing Centre Local Court and was fined AU$2,250 (US$1,504) for his offence.
According to Liquor & Gaming NSW, inspectors from said organisation had found the establishment’s main exit blocked during a compliance check on the hotel. The only exit available was one that led through the gaming room of said hotel.
Under gaming legislation, patrons “must not be compelled to pass through a gaming room to enter or leave a venue, or to gain access to another area.”
Liquor & Gaming NSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations Jane Lin said Mr Whitehead’s action is a “serious breach of the state’s gaming laws.
“Apart from breaking the law, the licensee put patrons at potential risk of harm by compelling them to walk through the gaming room to leave the venue.”
She further emphasised that licensees who fail to abide by gaming machine regulations can expect to be caught and prosecuted.
Last April saw Liquor & Gaming fine former licensee for gaming machine offences. Equally strict was AUSTRAC, which saw SkyCity fined AU$67m for AML/CTF offences.
