{"id":1843170,"date":"2023-08-25T13:32:35","date_gmt":"2023-08-25T17:32:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/plato-data\/alh-group-fined-550000-for-non-compliant-gaming-machines\/"},"modified":"2023-08-25T13:32:35","modified_gmt":"2023-08-25T17:32:35","slug":"alh-group-fined-550000-for-non-compliant-gaming-machines","status":"publish","type":"station","link":"https:\/\/platogaming.com\/plato-data\/alh-group-fined-550000-for-non-compliant-gaming-machines\/","title":{"rendered":"ALH Group Fined $550,000 For Non-Compliant Gaming Machines"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) was fined $550,000 after the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) prosecuted the major electronic gaming machine operator for breaching the state rules on gambling control. According to VGCCC\u2019s press release, the ALH\u2019s 220 gaming machines were found to lack the YourPlay control technology feature which installation is required by law.<\/p>\n

$500,000 Fine For Breach:<\/strong><\/p>\n

ALH<\/strong> is the largest operator of electronic gaming machines<\/strong> in Australia<\/a>, which adds weight to the breach described by Magistrate\u2019s ruling<\/strong> as serious and wilful. As stated in the press release, the authority additionally ordered ALH to pay $50,000<\/strong> to the VGCCC<\/a> for the regulator\u2019s costs of the prosecution process.<\/p>\n

Failure Detected at 62 Facilities:<\/strong><\/p>\n

As reported,<\/a> the fine for the failure<\/strong> to have the gaming<\/a> technology feature properly installed<\/strong> in the gambling machines is the result of the operator\u2019s breach from November 2022<\/a> when the VGCCC detected the lack of the<\/strong> YourPlay technology<\/strong> items at 62 of the company\u2019s 77 properties.<\/strong> YourPlay, the state-wide gaming control feature, is required by law to be integrated with each electronic gaming machine. According to the regulator, the scheme is supposed to help players manage their time and loss limits and keep their gambling behavior under control.<\/p>\n

Missing Mandatory \u201dYourPlay\u201d Feature:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The gambling control vehicle thus helps the establishment of the player responsible gambling behavior<\/strong> and reduces gambling harm in Victoria. As such a scheme was lacking in 220 gaming machines across 62 operator\u2019s properties, the VGCCC referred to the respective ALH\u2019s failures as \u201dgrave and wilful\u201d,<\/em> which was reportedly considered a primary factor<\/strong> for the verdict.<\/p>\n

Fine Reduced on Cooperation Grounds:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Magistrate<\/strong> reportedly took into account the fact that the operator plead guilty at the early stage<\/strong> of the prosecution to continue to cooperate<\/strong> throughout the process. For this reason, the maximum fine of $1.35 million was reduced to $500,000<\/strong> for the breach, according to the press release.<\/p>\n

The VGCCC reportedly welcomed the verdict, with its CEO Annette Kimmitt AM stating:<\/strong> \u201cThis outcome demonstrates the VGCCC\u2019s commitment to pursuing those operators who opportunistically or deliberately contravene their obligations to protect the community from gambling harm. Gambling providers need to pay close attention to their obligations because the consequences for getting it wrong can be significant\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

Inspection Blitz:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The November 2022 breach was detected after the VGCCC carried out an urgent inspection<\/strong> of ALH\u2019s casinos across Victoria<\/a> following an anonymous tip via via the \u2018Tip-Off\u2019 page on the regulator\u2019s website<\/a> . As reported, the inspection found that 220 gaming machines were non-compliant and therefore shut down.<\/p>\n

Pending Gambling Reforms:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The charges pressed by the regulator and the fine imposed to ALH follow the recent VGCCC\u2019s charge against BlueBet<\/strong><\/a> for breaching state rules for advertising<\/strong>. BlueBet is now reportedly<\/a> facing a fine of almost AU$ 1 miilion<\/strong>, which testifies about the regulator\u2019s commitment to compliant gambling operations ahead of the industry reforms<\/strong> pending for approval in Victoria.<\/p>\n

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