Minors Accessed Pokie Areas at Three Venues in 2024; AU$78,000 in Fines and Costs Imposed
AU$38,000 Fine Imposed Following Self-Reported Breaches
The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) has been fined AU$38,000 (US$24,453) by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria for multiple breaches involving underage individuals accessing electronic gaming machine (EGM) areas, also known as pokie machine rooms. In addition, ALH was ordered to pay AU$40,000 in legal costs to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
The penalty was issued without a criminal conviction, largely due to ALH’s cooperation and its decision to self-report the incidents, which occurred at three separate venues: Cramers Hotel in Preston, Excelsior Hotel in Thomastown, and Mountain View Hotel in Glen Waverley.
Details of the Incidents: Underage Access and Gambling
The four separate incidents in 2024 included:
A 17-year-old who entered a pokie area on multiple occasions without showing identification.
A child accompanied by adults who was observed interacting with a machine.
A 14-year-old who was able to gamble unchallenged before intervention by venue staff.
These events triggered regulatory concern due to their serious risk to child welfare and their violation of gambling laws under Victoria’s Gambling Regulation Act.
VGCCC Calls for Proactive Measures and Accountability
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan commended ALH’s transparency but emphasised that reactive compliance is not enough. “Being accountable for wrongdoing demonstrates integrity,” she noted, “but venues must be proactive about preventing minors from accessing gambling areas.”
The VGCCC urged all gambling venues to implement stronger control systems, such as:
Clear signage indicating that EGM rooms are restricted to adults.
Mandatory ID checks for any patron appearing under the age of 25.
Routine staff training and risk assessments to ensure compliance.
These recommendations follow a broader crackdown on underage gambling, with 10 other operators penalised in February for similar offences.
Legal Outcome and Precedent Setting
The court acknowledged that had ALH not entered a guilty plea, the fine could have escalated to AU$90,000, and a criminal conviction might have been recorded. The ruling serves as a clear warning to the industry that self-reporting, while commendable, does not absolve operators from consequences.
The VGCCC continues to strengthen enforcement of responsible gambling practices in Victoria, with particular focus on the protection of minors and venue accountability. The Commission’s message is clear: the onus is on operators to implement robust preventative frameworks or face significant financial and reputational damage.
Conclusion: Compliance Culture in Focus
The ALH case is part of a growing trend in Australia’s gambling regulatory landscape that favours transparent practices, proactive safeguards, and youth protection. With gambling harms increasingly in the spotlight, particularly among vulnerable populations, operators must recognise that compliance is no longer optional — it’s a regulatory expectation.
