VGCCC Fines ALH for Underage Gambling Breaches

The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) has been fined $177,500 after pleading guilty to 24 charges related to underage gambling and failing to supervise electronic betting terminals adequately. The charges stem from incidents involving minors being allowed to gamble and access poker machine areas.

According to its announcement, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) initiated legal action against ALH for permitting a teenager to gamble at five venues between September 2022 and October 2023. These venues included the Albion Charles Hotel, Cramers Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, and the Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel.

In a separate incident in August 2023, an 8-year-old child, accompanied by an adult, entered the poker machine area at Westside Taverner, an ALH venue. Although staff intervened and reported the situation to the VGCCC, the presence of a minor in a gambling area remains a significant violation under Victorian law.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM supported the court’s ruling, emphasizing the responsibility venues have to protect minors from gambling harm.

“It is well established that minors who gamble are more likely to experience severe harm from gambling as adults. All venues, therefore, have a legal and social obligation to protect children from that risk.”

The penalties included a $175,000 fine for the teenage gambling incidents and $2,500 for the child’s entry into the gambling area. ALH was also ordered to pay $45,000 in legal costs.

This prosecution is part of a broader VGCCC crackdown on venues and Tabcorp for allowing underage gambling. Previous fines have been imposed on several licensees, including:

• Preston Hotel: $25,300
• Parkview Hotel: $5,220
• The Brunswick Club: $8,720
• The Olympic Hotel: $8,820
• Northcote TAB Agency: $9,960
• Edwardes Lakes Hotel: $9,900
• Tabcorp: $370,417

Two additional cases remain pending in the Magistrates’ Court.

Olivia Richardson

Olivia has worked as an editor and writer for major brands across multiple niches. She now focuses on the iGaming and sports betting industries.