Tabcorp directed to stop accepting cash
Tabcorp will be made to stop accepting cash at Victorian machines unless Victorian pubs and clubs can guarantee proper supervision.
The state’s gaming regulator made the decision after a 16-year-old racked up nearly $100,000 in debt after placing bets at multiple venues.
The teenager was found to have gambled on more than 30 occasions between May 2022 and October 2023.
Court action has been taken against the venues.
The teenager’s mother tendered a victim impact statement to the court, which noted he had borrowed money to fund his gambling addiction from people who later threatened their safety.
The mother claims two people broke into her home wielding machetes. She paid her son’s debts to avoid further violence.
“To repay my son’s gambling debts, I felt I had no choice and out of terror I withdrew my super and maxed out my credit card. I re-mortgaged my previously paid off home to pay back the criminals a total of $90,000,” her statement said.
She said that while she sought help from support services, none was forthcoming. She also confronted the venues, urging them to reject his bets.
“My son continued to enter these venues without being stopped or asked for ID. This was devastating and shocking to me that this continued to happen,” the statement said.
Tabcorp must now comply with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission’s directive.
Chief executive, Annette Kimmitt, told Guardian Australia “We decided enough was enough. You could just insert your cash and make your bets. Children were using these machines.”
All machines that cannot be supervised by a staff member within a five-metre distance can no longer accept cash. Gamblers will need to obtain a voucher from a staff member and have their identification checked.
Due to the directive about 70% of the 1800 electronic betting terminals in Victoria no longer accept cash.
“Mystery shoppers” will also attend venues with electronic betting terminals to make sure staff are complying with the directive. Anyone suspected of being younger than 25 will need to be asked for identification,” Kimmitt said.
“If the venues don’t check IDs then there are a series of escalating consequences. “But ultimately, if they don’t get their acts together, those terminals will be removed.”
Tabcorp said it was working with the VGCCC to “create a safe and enjoyable experience for customers”.
The company is complying with the directive.
It is hoped that the directive will also reduce the risk of money laundering.
Jonathan Jackson, 15th January 2024
