Having previously been issued 35 charges from The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in September, the operator could now be issued a further three fines from the VGCCC.

Rumotel Pty is the owner of Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East. The extra charges are for alleged responsible gambling failures and breaches. The three new charges could attract an additional fine of AU$1.4m, bringing the total maximum fine across the 38 charges to AU$2.1m.

The VGCCC alleges Rumotel Pty failed to make sure that a Responsible Gambling Officer was available at all times on the gaming floor as well as failing to properly maintain a responsible gambling register. 

Under the VGCCC’s Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct, gambling venues must ensure Responsible Gambling Officers are always present in the gaming room during operating hours. They must also intervene where patrons display signs of distress or engage in extended play; these incidents must then be recorded in the Register.

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, failure to implement a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct is a breach of the venue operator’s licence conditions.

The 35 charges the VGCCC issued to the same operator in September were for alleged failures to ensure staff had completed compulsory training; and to have the mandatory pre-commitment technology – YourPlay – functioning on their electronic gaming machines and kiosk.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM commented: “Just as you wouldn’t operate a public swimming pool without a lifeguard, venues are required to continuously monitor their gaming floors and intervene whenever the welfare of players is at risk. 

“The VGCCC will continue to pursue venues that deliberately fail to apply their responsible gambling code of conducts in full” 

*The exact number of the potential fine is AU$1,386,900, which would bring the total to AU$2,145,072.