Key points:
- The VGCCC has issued an AU$7,000 fine to the Victorian Amateur Turf Club
- The organisation is cracking down on underage gambling by prosecuting offending operators
- The deterrent prosecutions seek to protect children from the harmful nature of underage gambling
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has issued an AU$7,000 (US$4,360) fine to the Victorian Amateur Turf Club following a recently enhanced focus on tackling underage gambling in Victoria.
The recent crackdown on underage gambling in the Australian region is underway, a point which was emphasised by Annette Kimmitt, former CEO of the VGCCC, who spoke out about how the organisation will continue to investigate and punish venues that allow children to enter poker machine areas.
This most recent fine stemmed from an incident which occurred on June 10th, 2023 – in which a child visited the Peninsula Club and entered the gambling area two times. On both occasions, the child was able to use poker machines without intervention from staff.
On the second visit, the child entered with adults and used a poker machine for around five minutes before intervention from staff members.
No convictions occurred with this incident, but the owner of the Peninsula Club — the Victorian Amateur Turf Club – was prosecuted for two breaches of the Victorian Gambling Regulation Act 2003. These fines included $7,000, as well as a $3,500 fine paid to the VGCCC.
Good to know: Annette Kimmitt resigned from her position at the VGCCC in December 2024 and is set to step down in late March
Two more cases involving minors have also been taken to court by the VGCCC, which will be finalised this year. The Supreme Edinburgh PTY Ltd received a fine of $2,500 following a guilty plea of three counts of breaches to the Gambling Regulation Act. The other case was against Correct Bet Pty Ltd, which was fined $3,000 due to letting a minor gamble in their venue.
Speaking on the crackdown, Kimmitt stated, “This is a warning to every venue. 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… The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.”
