Australia

PUB PENALISED FOR GAMBLING INDUCEMENTS

Published

4 years ago

February 28, 2022

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Parramatta’s Rose and Crown Hotel has been fined for offering patrons inducements to gamble after a disgruntled general manager reported the pub, sparking a prosecution in which she herself was convicted of stealing $15,000.

Between 2017 and 2018, staff at the Rose and Crown allowed at least $145,000 in credit and debit withdrawals from the bar’s eftpos machine, loaned money from the safe to gamblers, and provided free alcohol and cigarettes to keep people playing the pokies.

The hotel’s general manager, Samantha Glynn, was also manipulating the poker machine payout system by changing the values on leftover credit tickets and creating fake tickets, allegedly stealing up to $400,000.

When Ms Glynn was discovered and suspended from her duties, she reported the hotel to Liquor & Gaming NSW. The subsequent investigation revealed a host of breaches and resulted in the matter being referred to both the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority and NSW Police.

The Rose and Crown was also in breach of its licence for positioning an ATM in the gaming room; not making contact cards available to players; having gambling-related signage and gaming machines visible from outside the hotel; and supplying alcohol and operating gaming machines outside of stipulated trading hours on Good Friday.

Independent Liquor and Gaming Authority Chair, Phil Crawford, said the hotel lacked oversight and controls by those tasked with these responsibilities.

“Staff used phantom transactions to mask cash withdrawals for gambling, but even more incredibly, they gave out loans from the safe,” Mr Crawford said.

“At one point a manager loaned a total of $8,000 from the pub’s safe, to a patron who wanted to keep playing the pokies. A security guard also used the safe to loan $800 to another gambler.

“The hotel was essentially facilitating cash advances for gambling via a system of fake transactions and this is an obvious risk for problem gambling.”

NSW Police charged Ms Glynn with theft totalling $15,000 and she was sentenced to an 18-month intensive correction order.

The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority fined the Hotel’s licensee, a company called RC One Pty Ltd $107,358. Approved manager Paul Camkin was fined $10,000 and disqualified for 12 months from being a licensee or being the approved manager of a hotel. Two close associates, Jason Marlow and Damien Kelly, were given a reprimand and, along with Mr Camkin, ordered to pay the costs of the Authority’s investigation.

“Thanks to the tip off from the general manager, we were able to step in and investigate the hotel, ultimately holding the licensee and its close associates to account,” Mr Crawford said.

Australia

VGCCC: EGM Application Improvements Consultation

Published

2 days ago

November 21, 2025

Niji Narayan

vgccc:-egm-application-improvements-consultation

Reading Time: < 1 minute

VGCCC has launched consultation on proposed reforms to the application process for Electronic Gaming Machine approvals in Victoria.

“Our Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) application process for new premises approvals under section 3.3.6 and EGM increase applications under section 3.4.17 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 is undergoing a significant uplift to align with modern expectations, recent legislative change, and our strengthened mandate to minimise gambling harm. It also intends to reduce red tape by ensuring applicants focus on priority factors that commonly determine the suitability of an application,” VGCCC said.

VGCCC is inviting feedback from all stakeholders — including, but not limited to, industry participants, councils, experts and community organisations — to provide feedback on:

• the clarity and practicality of the revised application and hearing processes

• ambiguities, redundancies or gaps in the revised application form and practice notes

• any other opportunities to improve the application and hearing process.

Consultation period closes on 19 December 2025.

The post VGCCC: EGM Application Improvements Consultation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

ACMA

ACMA: Self-Excluded Gamblers Report a Better Quality of Life

Published

1 week ago

November 14, 2025

Niji Narayan

acma:-self-excluded-gamblers-report-a-better-quality-of-life

Reading Time: 2 minutes

New survey figures from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has revealed that around four in five people (77%) who have registered for self-exclusion from online and phone wagering services experience a better overall quality of life.

The ACMA-commissioned research into user experience with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register also found 79% of registrants experienced improved mental health and 69% experience better personal relationships with family, friends and partners.

Almost all (96%) of registrants surveyed also said that they had either completely stopped betting on sports or racing events (81%) or had decreased their betting (15%).

ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said that the survey and research results show how self-exclusion is helping Australians to manage their gambling behaviour.

“We know online gambling causes a great deal of harm for too many in our communities. It is wonderful to see that the national self-exclusion register is having a positive impact. The stories shared with us are both moving and compelling,” Ms Lidgerwood said.

“We want to make sure everyone who uses phone or internet gambling in Australia is aware of their options for self-exclusion.

“It only takes five minutes to register, and this could change your life,” she said.

The research was undertaken by ORIMA on behalf of the ACMA. The report, including individual case studies, is available at BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register research.

The findings from this research will also help to inform the statutory review of the NSER that is currently underway.

The release of the research coincides with BetStop – the National Self-Exclusion Register reaching a new milestone, with more than 50,000 Australians now having chosen to self-exclude since the launch of the programme in August 2023. Over 32,000 people currently have active exclusions.

When someone chooses to register, they are excluded from all of the approximately 190 licensed wagering providers in Australia.

The post ACMA: Self-Excluded Gamblers Report a Better Quality of Life appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Australia

SkyCity Announces Renewal of Queenstown Casino Licence

Published

2 weeks ago

November 12, 2025

Niji Narayan

skycity-announces-renewal-of-queenstown-casino-licence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

SkyCity Entertainment Group Limited confirmed that the New Zealand Gambling Commission has granted SkyCity Queenstown Limited with a renewal of its casino venue licence for a further 15 years from 7 December 2025, pursuant to section 134 of the Gambling Act 2003.

SkyCity Chief Executive Officer, Jason Walbridge, said: “We’re delighted with this outcome. We look forward to continuing to play our part in Queenstown’s fantastic range of entertainment for both locals and visitors.”

The post SkyCity Announces Renewal of Queenstown Casino Licence appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.