The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has issued three new charges against Rumotel Pty Ltd, the operator of the Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East for allegedly breaching their Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.
The VGCCC alleges Rumotel Pty Ltd failed to ensure a Responsible Gambling Officer was available in the gaming machine area at all times and to properly maintain a Responsible Gambling Register.
Under the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct, venues must ensure Responsible Gambling Officers are always present during gaming room operating hours and intervene where patrons display signs of distress or engage in extended play. These incidents must then be recorded in the Register.
Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, failure to implement a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct is a breach of the venue operator’s licence conditions.
These follow the 35 charges the VGCCC issued to the same operator in September for alleged failures to ensure staff had completed compulsory training and to have the mandatory pre-commitment technology – YourPlay – functioning on their electronic gaming machines and kiosk.
“Just as you wouldn’t operate a public swimming pool without a lifeguard, venues are required to continuously monitor their gaming floors and intervene whenever the welfare of players is at risk. The VGCCC will continue to pursue venues that deliberately fail to apply their responsible gambling code of conducts in full” said VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt AM.
The three new charges could attract an additional fine of AU$1,386,900 ($880,000), bringing the total maximum fine across the 38 charges to AU$2,145,072 ($1.36 million).
