Victoria's regulator concludes underage gambling action, slaps fines

February 24, 2025

Victoria's regulator concludes underage gambling action, slaps fines

The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has recently concluded its largest and most thorough investigation into underage gambling, leading to significant legal actions, including 98 charges and penalties totaling A$499,000.

The investigation followed a plea from a concerned mother about her 17-year-old son’s gambling behavior and the potential risks associated with his age and neurodiversity. The mother reached out to the VGCCC after noticing her son’s gambling habits and how his age put him at high risk of gambling harm. The VGCCC carried out over 2000 hours of investigations on this case. The team examined multiple gambling venues and their practices, identifying various failures in upholding the law.

The commission charged 98 gambling entities. The charges, not limited to minor infractions, also included substantial violations of laws designed to protect minors from accessing gambling areas. The VGCCC has slapped fines totaling half-a-million dollars on these entities.

Who was among those fined?

VGCCC fined Correct Bet, the operator of the Coburg TAB outlet, a total of A$3,000 without conviction and ordered to pay the costs of A$5,500 to the commission. The operator pleaded guilty to two charges. Along with Correct Bet, Supreme Edinburgh, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. The operator was fined A$2,500 and ordered to pay A$4,950 to VGCCC.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said, “Nothing can make up for the harm a Melbourne family experienced as a result of the failure by multiple operators to prevent a young teen from gambling between May 2022 and October 2023.”

She commended the mother for reaching out to the commission. “I can only imagine how difficult it was for the mother to come to us, and I commend her for doing so,” said Kimmitt. “I hope the outcomes and conclusion of these proceedings bring her some comfort, following the significant trauma she and her family have gone through.”

Kimmitt added, “When industry is not diligent about complying with its legal and social obligations, the consequences for everyday Victorians can be serious and long lasting, which is why the VGCCC is determined to hold operators to account.

“It is a venue’s responsibility to ensure minors do not access a designated gambling area, let alone gamble, no matter how determined or convincing a child might be.”