{"id":244056,"date":"2022-11-18T10:04:25","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T16:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=244056"},"modified":"2022-11-18T10:23:25","modified_gmt":"2022-11-18T16:23:25","slug":"slot-machine-operator-in-victoria-australia-faces-seven-figure-fine-possible-criminal-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/slot-machine-operator-in-victoria-australia-faces-seven-figure-fine-possible-criminal-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Victoria, Australia Slots Operator Faces Huge Fine, Possible Criminal Charges"},"content":{"rendered":"

Australia\u2019s gaming industry continues to give itself a bad name even as operators acknowledge that it\u2019s time to clean things up. The latest company to come under fire is Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), which previously ignored a regulator\u2019s order in Victoria.<\/p>\n

\"Electronic
Electronic gaming machines line the wall of a gaming venue. Australia’s largest gaming machine operator faces a seven-figure fine for not complying with regulations in Victoria. (Image: The Australian<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced<\/a> Friday that it’s preparing disciplinary action against ALH. It comes as the largest slot machine operator in the country neglected to comply with responsible gambling initiatives in the state.<\/p>\n

Specifically, ALH didn\u2019t install state-mandated pre-commitment technology called YourPlay on the slots. The result will be a fine that could reach the seven-figure range.<\/p>\n

Gameplay Without YourPlay<\/h2>\n

The VGCCC<\/a> stated in its announcement that ALH operated 220 slots for five weeks without the mandatory responsible gaming solution. The issue came to light following an anonymous tip the regulator received last December.<\/p>\n

That tip led to an investigation of the company\u2019s slots in various places around Victoria, which the VGCCC confirmed didn\u2019t offer YourPlay. Gamblers aren\u2019t required to use the technology, but operators are required to include it.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Representatives from the VGCCC shut off the machines and submitted their reports. In total, 62 of the company\u2019s 77 properties didn\u2019t have YourPlay, and the regulator is going to prosecute ALH for its \u201cwidespread and significant breaches.\u201d The case could appear before a judge in January.<\/p>\n

The VGCCC stated the failure was serious enough to warrant a fine of as much as AU$1.35 million (US$872,318). It said it will also charge a company \u201cexecutive officer\u201d for the violation, but didn\u2019t provide additional details. The regulator didn\u2019t respond to a request for more information from Casino.org<\/em> before press time.<\/p>\n

\n

Endeavor Group, ALH\u2019s parent company, issued a statement following the announcement. It said that the error was a simple \u201ccommunication failure\u201d within the company.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

YourPlay, according to its website, is a \u201ccard-based tool that players can use to track the money and time they spend\u201d on slots and other electronic gaming machines. It allows users to set limits voluntarily and track their usage directly on the machine. Intralot provides the service for the VGCCC.<\/p>\n

Australia Gaming Continues to Evolve<\/h2>\n

In the face of continuing fines<\/a> against casino operators for dereliction of duty, fundamental changes are coming to Australia\u2019s gaming industry. Some changes have already been put in place, while others are under review.<\/p>\n

\n

Condemnation over money laundering, seedy back-office deals, and shady executives have been at the forefront of the conversation for the past couple of years. As a result, regulators are poised to increase their oversight, as well as their fines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This has already been seen in New South Wales<\/a>, Queensland, and Victoria where it’s become obvious that regulators are no longer willing to look the other way. The VGCCC acknowledged this in another recent announcement. It explained that it’s \u201ccracking down on operators\u201d that violate the rules and break the law.<\/p>\n

The regulator added that it will have \u201czero tolerance\u201d going forward. It could use the case against ALH to set an example. It hopes to send a \u201creally clear message\u201d to the industry, and other regulators are going to do the same.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Australia\u2019s gaming industry continues to give itself a bad name even as operators acknowledge that it\u2019s time to clean things up. The latest company to come under fire is Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), which previously ignored a regulator\u2019s order in Victoria. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced Friday that it’s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":244055,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[62,33810],"tags":[81985,81915,83785],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nVictoria, Australia Slots Operator Faces Huge Fine, Possible Criminal Charges - Casino.org<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Australia\u2019s gaming industry continues to give itself a bad name even as operators acknowledge that it\u2019s time to clean things up. 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