The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has announced that it has brought charges against Rumotel Pty Ltd for failing to have YourPlay available on gaming machines (pokies) at Tower Hotel.
Following a VGCCC investigation, the hotel operator faces 35 charges of failing to have the mandatory pre-commitment technology on a number of its electronic gaming machines. The regulator has also brought one further charge against the company of failing to ensure that staff had the required training for the technology.
YourPlay is a pre-commitment scheme for customers allowing them to set time and spending limits on their play. However, while the scheme in optional for customers, pokie machine operators must have it installed and available on all machines at all times.
The VGCCC notified the hotel that it must not allow customers to play the machines until the matter is resolved.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM said in statement:
“Any venue operator that fails to provide players with the ability to set time and spend limits through the YourPlay system is in breach of a key legal obligation aimed at protecting the community from gambling harm. We are actively monitoring venue compliance with the requirement to have YourPlay available on all electronic gaming machines and will pursue those that opportunistically or deliberately contravene their obligations”
Failing to have the technology installed is a breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. If found guilty on all 35 charges, the hotel operator could be fined as much as AU$758,172 ($487,656/€454,079).
This is the second time in less than a month that the VGCCC has charged a pokie operator with a similar breach. In August, the regulator fined the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) $550,000 ($352,427/€326,249) for operating pokies without YourPlay installed.
According to the latest Global Gambling Statistics, Australians have the highest gambling losses per person in the world. Each year the average gambler loses approximately AU$1870 ($1200/€1118).
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.