Tower Hotel charged with three offenses over gambling breaches

Rumotel Pty Ltd, the owner of the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East, has been charged with three additional offences by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) for allegedly breaking their Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.

Rumotel Pty Ltd is accused by the VGCCC of failing to guarantee the constant presence of a responsible gambling officer in the gaming machine area and of improperly maintaining a responsible gambling register.

The Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct states that establishments are required to have Responsible Gambling Officers on duty throughout all gaming room operation hours so they may step in when customers show indications of distress or play for a lengthy period of time. The Responsible Gambling Register must include a record of these interventions.

According to the Gambling Regulation Act of 2003, the venue operator’s licence requirements are broken if a responsible gambling code of conduct is not in place.

After the VGCCC filed 35 complaints against the same operator in September, these additional accusations were filed. In those allegations, it was claimed that steps had not been taken to guarantee that employees had received the needed training and that their electronic gaming machines and kiosk were equipped with the necessary pre-commitment technology, called YourPlay.

If convicted of the three new counts, the total maximum penalties for all 38 offences would be AU$2,145,072 ($1.36 million), which would be an extra fine of AU$1,386,900 ($880,000).

Annette Kimmitt AM, CEO of the VGCCC, emphasised the significance of venues adhering to their code of conduct for responsible gambling, comparing it to the need of having a lifeguard at a public swimming pool to guarantee player welfare. The VGCCC is committed to taking legal action against establishments that willfully ignore their responsible gaming code of conduct.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief