The crackdown on gaming operators in Australia continues, with the Victorian Gambling and Casino Commission (VGCCC) fining the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) AU$480,000 ($323,500) for operating electronic gaming machines outside of permitted hours.
In a media release, the VGCCC noted that ALH had operated the EGMs at eight venues outside of normal trading hours and had failed to observe mandatory shutdown periods.
The company is the largest operator of EGMs within the Australian state of Victoria, with some 4,690 machines spread across 76 venues.
The state’s casino commission indicates that the fines related to 15 EGMs which were operated in the eight venues between February 15th and May 25th.
By law, gaming venues must shut down for four hours after every 20 hours of gaming, needing to conform to the hours nominated for operating their EGMs.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt noted that “”Ensuring patrons take breaks and are not exposed to extended, continuous periods of play are critical to the responsible service of gambling”.
“The VGCCC will continue to monitor gaming machine operations to ensure our expectations are being met,” furthered the official.
This is the second fine leveled by the authorities against ALH this year, having previously been fined AU$550,000 ($370,700) for operating 220 EGMs without the mandatory pre-commitment technology, known as YourPlay, installed.
