Woolworths’ pub staff collected data on pokies players
An internal investigation has confirmed staff at Woolworths-owned hotels have been spying on gamblers in order to boost profits.
The Woolworths investigation found that staff in 22 of its pubs in three states collected personal information on high turnover pokies players.
They then shared the data among its pubs to enable staff to encourage them to increase their losses, and increase the taking for the hotels.
Bruce Mathieson jnr, the chief executive of ALH Group, which is majority owned by Woolworths, confirmed to Fairfax Media that staff had been sacked following the investigation.
However, he would not go into more detail as state gambling regulators are still investigating.
One of the original whistleblowers, a staffer who worked in two Woolworths pubs said Woolworths’ response had not been enough.
"They have admitted they forced staff to spy on people to make them gamble more. They are preying on the vulnerable. People come and gamble when they are lonely and depressed. Why would they want to cause this much harm and devastation in the community? Is this the company Woolworths wants to be?,” the whistleblower told Fairfax Media.
“All they care about [in their pubs] is gaming. Everything is gaming. They want their bars and restaurants to break even, but they are only there to get people into their gaming rooms."
The ALH Group owns about 330 pubs. It generates more than $1 billion of Woolworths’ revenue.
In the company’s statement to the market, Woolworths chairman Gordon Cairns said the company had acted appropriately.
“The practices outlined in the investigation, at a limited number of hotels, are at odds with the priorities and values of our customers and the communities where we operate. At Woolworths we take our responsibilities in the community, and to gaming and the service of alcohol, very seriously,” Mr Cairns said.
“The ALH Group has already put in place immediate measures to address the findings of this investigation and to further boost the commitment to responsible gaming. The Woolworths Group will continue to support the ALH Group on this journey.”
Leon Gettler - 6 August 2018
