The case covers the individual’s activity between May 2022 and October 2023. During this period, the boy, who was then aged 17, accessed and gambled on electronic betting terminals at 10 venues in the Australian state of Victoria.

The VGCCC announced its first fines in September 2023, with updates issued on the case over the following 18 months. Today (24 February), the regulator confirms it has concluded action against guilty parties after further hearings at the Magistrates’ Court.

Two more venues have been charged. Correct Bet, operator of the Coburg TAB outlet, which pleaded guilty to two charges. It was fined AU$3,000 (£1,511/€1,821/US$1,911) without conviction and ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $5,500.

The court considered Correct Bet had no prior convictions in 14 years of operation across multiple venues. It also noted how it has implemented additional measures, including staff training, mobile phone policy changes and regular CCTV monitoring.

Supreme Edinburgh, trading as the Duke of Edinburgh in Brunswick, also pleaded guilty to three counts of breaching the Gambling Regulation Act 2003. The operator was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay VGCCC costs of $4,950.  

“It is a venue’s responsibility to ensure minors do not access a designated gambling area, let alone gamble, no matter how determined or convincing a child might be,” VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said.

Victoria regulator issues $499,000 in fines

The final fines come after more than 2,000 hours of investigations in underage gambling failures. In total, the VGCCC secured 14 prosecutions against 10 entities and 98 charges, while overall fines hit $499,000.

Incidentally, it was the individual’s mother who first shone a light on the failings. She raised concerns about how his neurodiversity, in addition to his age, placed him at higher risk of gambling harm.

“I can only imagine how difficult it was for the mother to come to us” Kimmitt said. “We commend her for doing so. I hope the outcomes and conclusion of these proceedings bring her some comfort, following the significant trauma she and her family have gone through.”

When news of the case first broke in September 2023, Tabcorp faced a total of 54 charges. A further 27 charges were filed against the venues and a Tabcorp-owned TAB agency.

Tabcorp was handed fines totalling $274,000 over the case. It was found guilty on 30 counts of allowing a minor to gamble and 13 charges of failing to supervise.

In addition, the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group was fined $175,000 in October last year. It faced some 23 charges across five venues: Albion Charles Hotel, Cramers Hotel, Doncaster Hotel, Excelsior Hotel, and The Rose Shamrock & Thistle Hotel.

Smaller fines were also issued to venues, the largest of which – $15,000 – went to Preston Hotel. It was found guilty on four counts of allowing a minor to gamble, with a further charge for failing to supervise its players.

VGCCC: case will leave a painful scar

Summing up the case, Kimmitt again hit out at the venues for their failings. She said by not having the appropriate measures in place to protect players, this leaves them at risk of harm and can potentially have long-term, negative effects.

“When the industry is not diligent about complying with its legal and social obligations, the consequences for everyday Victorians can be serious and long lasting, which is why the VGCCC is determined to hold operators to account,” Kimmitt said.

“We welcome the outcome of these court hearings, which bring to a close all prosecutions involving this family. Unfortunately, the family’s recovery from this experience is likely to take a lot longer and leave a painful scar.”