Tabcorp and eight venues charged for allegedly allowing a minor to gamble

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) charged Tabcorp along with eight venues for allegedly allowing a minor to gamble in breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003.

Tabcorp faces a total of 54 charges, including 27 counts of allowing a minor to gamble and failing to reasonably supervise its electronic betting terminals.

The venue operators and a TAB agency face allegations they allowed a minor to gamble on 27 occasions between 8 September and 1 November 2022.

The venue operators have been charged with allowing a minor to gamble, allowing a minor within a gaming machine area and failure to ensure gambling vending machines were reasonably supervised at all times. The TAB agency has been charged with allowing a minor to gamble and failing to ensure reasonable supervision of its electronic betting terminals.

The venues are the Olympic Hotel, the Brunswick Club, the Edwardes Lake Hotel, the Parkview Hotel, the Albion Charles Hotel, the Doncaster Hotel, the Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel and the Northcote TAB Agency.

If found guilty, the operators face a maximum collective fine of more than one million dollars, while Tabcorp could face a maximum fine of $698,997.60.

“One of the most serious harms is allowing minors to gamble,” said Annette Kimmitt AM, VGCCC CEO. “All gambling venues must ensure they do not accept a bet from a minor and must ask for identification from anyone they suspect could be underage.”

The VGCCC launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a member of the public. If you see something of concern at a venue, let us know on 1300 599 759 or through the complaints and tip-offs page at https://www.vgccc.vic.gov.au/.