Casino Licensee Faces Hefty Fine After ATM Misplacement

photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

There's a lot to be said about in-person gambling houses; yes, they're fun, they're glitzy, flashy, and, yes, they can be a great way to relax and blow off some steam after a hard day in the office, but they aren't without their downfalls.

For example, you won't find the sites on the online casino toplist for 2024 facing the consequences of the law like the brick-and-mortar casino we're about to fill you in on. Online casinos are safe, with some great bonuses to be had, especially for newbies. They might be offshore but they can certainly guarantee you an entertaining evening of gambling. And, as gambling expert Matty Treuberg says: "Over 80% of the country enjoys gambling in some form but online casinos in Australia are still a rather well-kept secret."

You see, sometimes, just sometimes, it's way more fun to sit at home and gamble to your heart's content without the hassle that sometimes accompanies the good ol' traditional casinos.

So, what exactly happened to that brick-and-mortar casino we just mentioned? Well, trouble was brewing recently in Sydney after a casino owner failed to adhere to the regulations surrounding his slot machines being in close vicinity to an ATM.

The licensee overseeing Vbar, an establishment in inner Sydney, found themselves in legal trouble in January, facing prosecution under the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 for violating measures aimed at preventing overspending when gambling.

Following an inspection by Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW), the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade issued a stern warning to licensed venues about adhering to regulations. The violation in question involved the placement of an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in an 'ATM room' linked to the gaming area. Consequently, the Local Court ruled that the licensee must pay AU$5,500 ($3,701) in prosecutor's costs, determining that the ATM's location was in close proximity to the gaming machines.

The breach became apparent due to the prominently displayed 'ATM' text on the door leading to the room, visible from the gaming area. This incident is part of an increased enforcement effort by L&GNSW in 2023, resulting in 16 penalty notices and 13 prosecutions for breaches related to ATM locations.

Jane Lin, L&GNSW's Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, emphasised the clear violation of the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019. According to Lin, the regulation expressly prohibits placing a cash dispensing facility in the same section of a hotel or club premises as approved gaming machines. Lin underscored the importance of keeping ATMs entirely separate from gaming areas to prevent easy access to cash, which can contribute to gamblers losing track of their spending.
In a separate move against gambling advertising violations on January 18, 2024, L&GNSW took action against SportChamps, a Sydney-based operator fined AU$17,500 for their website and Facebook advertisements. This marks the sixth conviction for SportChamps in similar offences since 2017. L&GNSW's ongoing crackdown on gambling advertisements includes a new fine structure, imposing maximum penalties of AU$110,000 for companies and AU$11,000 for individuals publishing prohibited gambling ads.

Now more than ever, gambling houses have a huge responsibility in promoting a safe and fair betting environment for everyone. Casinos here in Australia are proving just as popular as ever, and it's important to note that the vast majority of operators are fully compliant with the law. However, for those who aren't, we can expect to see the full force of Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) in protecting gambling customers from the old tricks of the trade.

So, anyone fancy staying in tonight for a few rounds of online pokie instead?