Victoria fines ALH Group for operating EGMs outside permitted hours

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has handed a AUD$480,000 fine to Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) for operating electronic gaming machines (EGMs) outside permitted hours.

ALH was found to have failed to observe mandatory shutdown periods after the VGCCC detected activity outside of the permitted hours on 15 EGMs across eight venues from 15 February to 25 May of this year.

Gaming venues are required to shutdown for four hours after every 20 hours of gaming. Venues are also required to comply with the specific hours they have nominated to operate their EGMs.

In issuing the fine, the Commission noted the importance of deterring similar conduct by other venues.

“We expect all venue operators to provide gambling services responsibly and to observe the trading hours for their electronic gaming machines,” said VGCCC chief executive Annette Kimmitt. “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.”

ALH is the largest operator of EGMs in Victoria, with 4,690 machines across 76 venues.

In August, ALH was prosecuted and fined $550,000 for operating 220 EGMs without mandatory YourPlay pre-commitment technology installed.