€326K fine for ALH Group failings to minimise gambling harm

Shirley Pulis Xerxen August 28, 2023

SiGMA news

€326K fine for ALH Group failings to minimise gambling harm

Following prosecution by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for gambling harm, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) was fined $550,000 (€326,000). The failings included operating 220 gaming machines without having mandatory pre-commitment technology (YourPlay) installed.

The Magistrate’s judgement characterized ALH, Australia’s largest provider of electronic gambling equipment, as having committed significant and wilful violations. ALH was ordered to pay VGCCC a further AUS$50,000 (€30,000) in legal fees.

In November 2022, VGCCC accused ALH of failing to guarantee that YourPlay was correctly installed on gaming machines at 62 of its 77 venues. The state-wide pre-commitment programme known as YourPlay enables players to establish time and loss caps and engage in safer gambling practices. In Victoria, YourPlay is mandatory on all electronic gaming devices.

Deliberate act against safer gambling scheme

The VGCCC stated that the seriousness and wilfulness of ALH’s violation should be taken into consideration as a key element in punishment considering the role that the YourPlay scheme plays in minimizing gambling harm in Victoria.

The Magistrate concluded that a reduction in the fine from the maximum of AUS$1.35 million (€800,000) was due to ALH’s early guilty plea and cooperation with the VGCCC.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM welcomed the verdict “This outcome demonstrates the VGCCC’s commitment to pursuing those operators who opportunistically or deliberately contravene their obligations to protect the community from gambling harm. Gambling providers need to pay close attention to their obligations because the consequences for getting it wrong can be significant”.

YourPlay is a state-wide pre-commitment scheme in Victoria, Australia. The tool allows players to track the money and time they spend using gaming machines.

SiGMA’s regional summit in Limassol, Cyprus

SiGMA Balkans/CIS is only one week away. It will be held at the City of Dreams, Europe’s first integrated resort from the 04 – 07 September.

Industry operators will be able to connect with leading affiliates and two conference stages will feature a number of high-profile guest speakers. There will also be an expo floor, including the SiGMA Startup Village. So much more is happening in Limassol! Check out all the details here.