Australian regulator fines Peninsula Club over underage gambling
The Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) in Australia said that the Peninsula Club in Dromana is now facing fines for allowing a child to enter a gambling area and use poker machines. According to the VGCCC, the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria fined the venue owner, the Victorian Amateur Turf Club, AUD7,000 (€4,180) for five breaches of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and ordered it to pay AUD3,500 (€2,090) in legal costs. No conviction was recorded.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM warned other operators to take their responsibilities seriously. “This is a warning to every venue,” she said. “The onus is on you to ensure that children cannot and do not enter the gambling area or participate in any gambling activity, even if they’re with an adult.”
Child used poker machines for five minutes
On 10 June 2023, a child entered the Peninsula Club’s gambling area twice. During the second visit, while accompanied by adults, the child used a poker machine for about five minutes before staff intervened.
“Equally, staff must be adequately trained and present in the gambling area to supervise while machines are in use,” Kimmitt said. “The rules exist to protect children from exposure to, and harm from, gambling.” The court considered the venue’s self-reporting, lack of prior convictions, early plea, and steps taken to prevent future breaches.
Other venues penalised for underage gambling
This case is part of a broader crackdown by the VGCCC on venues failing to prevent underage gambling. It marks the third prosecution involving minors to be finalised this year.
Correct Bet Pty Ltd, which operates the Coburg TAB outlet, was fined AUD3,000 (€1,792) for allowing a minor to gamble. Supreme Edinburgh Pty Ltd, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, pleaded guilty to three breaches and was fined AUD2,500 (€1,493). These cases stem from the VGCCC’s most extensive action against underage gambling, which resulted in 98 charges and fines totalling nearly AUD500,000 (€298,628).
VGCCC’s largest investigation
Kimmitt reaffirmed the VGCCC’s commitment to enforcement. “When [the] industry is not diligent about complying with its legal and social obligations, the consequences for everyday Victorians can be serious and long-lasting,” she said. “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.”
The VGCCC also reminds the public that anyone with concerns about minors being allowed to gamble or a gambling provider’s behaviour can lodge a complaint or tip off with the agency.
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