Tabcorp, the parent company of TAB, has been fined $370,400 for breaching federal gambling regulations when it allowed a teen to gamble.
Tabcorp is the company who owns the licence for all retail betting in Victoria.
A Melbourne court found the company failed to properly supervise multiple venues across Victoria, allowing an underage teenager to gamble on multiple occasions across multiple venues.
Background
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission charged Tabcorp with 43 offences following a formal investigation sparked by a complaint from a member of the public last year.
The investigationa teen was able to place bets at several venues across Melbourne between 2022 and 2023.
The state regulator said the breaches showed a lack of “vigilance” on Tabcorp’s part.
Gambling Commission
The state regulator said the outcome is the consequence for Tabcorp’s “fundamental failure to protect minors from the risks associated with gambling.”
It said it’s committed to protecting the community and upholding the highest standards of conduct.
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”It is imperative that all stakeholders in the gambling industry understand the gravity of this issue and take their responsibilities seriously to prevent such harm,” VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said.
New rules
VGCCC implemented new state wide rules on betting machines earlier this year, after it discovered multiple other occasions of minors illegally gambling.
Theseincluded ordering betting venues to change the positioning of its betting machines to be visible from a serving counter.
These new rules came after Tabcorp’s gambling licence was renewed for the next 20 years.
TABCorp’s response
Tabcorp says it recognises the court’s decision and has taken steps to minimise future chances of underage gambling at its venues.
The company said it will continue to work with the industry’s regulator to do what it can to keep the community safe.
A Tabcorp spokesperson told the Australian Associated Press that “preventing minors from gambling is an absolute priority for the board and executive team.”
