VGCCC fines Werribee over self-exclusion breaches??
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Werribee RSL AUD30,000 (16,794) after two customers who had self-excluded from gambling were able to access the venues gaming room.
This is the first time the VGCCC has taken disciplinary action against a club or hotel for self-exclusion breaches, Suzy Neilan, VGCCC CEO, said. Self-exclusion programmes allow individuals to voluntarily block themselves from gambling areas in pubs, clubs, and 바카라s, either temporarily or permanently. According to the VGCCC, venues are required by law to respect these decisions as part of their harm minimisation responsibilities.
Tip-off and self-reporting led to investigation
The Commission received an anonymous report in January 2024 stating that a self-excluded individual had entered the Werribee RSL gaming room and used poker machines. In a separate incident, the venue itself disclosed in May 2024 that another self-excluded customer had accessed the gaming room on at least four occasions between February and May.
By failing to respect a persons decision to self-exclude, a venue may put customers who have decided to take a break from gambling, or quit altogether, at risk of experiencing gambling harm, Neilan said.
VGCCC emphasises venue responsibility
The Commission stressed that disciplinary action is a last resort and urged all venues to take their legal duties seriously by implementing and enforcing self-exclusion measures effectively.
Taking disciplinary action is the last resort, Neilan explained. We would prefer venues take their harm minimisation responsibilities seriously by complying with their legal obligations, including through the effective implementation of tools like self-exclusion.
She added that gaming staff play a crucial role in protecting vulnerable individuals: Venues and their staff are the last line of defence for self-excluded customers, who should be able to trust that their decision to self-exclude will be respected. They must have the appropriate controls in place to prevent self-excluded people from entering gaming rooms.
Werribee RSL takes remedial measures
The VGCCC acknowledged Werribee RSLs cooperation during the investigation and noted that the venue has since taken several steps to prevent further breaches.
Measures implemented by Werribee RSL include enhanced and ongoing staff training, daily audits of the self-exclusion register, and increased use of technology to detect self-excluded individuals attempting to enter the gaming area. These actions were taken into account when determining the penalty amount.
Industry-wide reminder
The VGCCC said the fine should serve as a warning to all gaming venues to assess and improve their self-exclusion enforcement procedures. The penalty should serve as a reminder to all venues to proactively review their own self-exclusion programmes and other procedures required by law to prevent similar breaches [from] occurring, Neilan said.??
The Commission continues to monitor compliance with self-exclusion regulations and has indicated that further enforcement action may follow in cases of non-compliance.
VGCCC is an independent regulator monitoring Victorias gambling industry. Its functions and powers are set out in the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Act 2011. The Commission also operates under and enforces the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, the Casino Control Act 1991, the Casino Management Agreement Act 1993, and the Racing Act 1958.
