La Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined bookmaker MintBet $100.000 for repeated breaches of its Responsible Gaming Code of Conduct (Code) in relation to prolonged periods of gambling by a customer. The customer gambled through their online account with MintBet for 35 hours over a period of approximately 50 hours
At the end of the betting period, the customer had placed 327 bets and lost $31.149.
The Commission found that MintBet did not stop accepting bets from the customer despite the customer showing indicators of distress that could be related to problem gambling, as required by their code.
MintBet only closed the customer's account when the customer actively identified that he was suffering harm from his gambling.
The Commission also found that while MintBet had some systems in place to ensure vulnerable people did not suffer a loss of control over their gambling, they were inadequate, also breaching a requirement of their code.
In addition to issuing a fine, MintBet will be required to respond to the VGCCC on improvements it makes to its systems and processes. The VGCCC will consider MintBet's response and determine whether further action may be necessary.
The deputy CEO of the VGCCC, Scott May, said the fine was a wake-up call for all gambling providers: “Victorian gambling providers must comply with their codes of conduct for responsible gaming. They exist to protect people from the harm of gambling. Even if they accept online bets, providers must monitor and intervene when customers show indicators of trouble. Gambling for a prolonged period is a key indicator of distress that may indicate problem gambling. There are serious consequences for any gambling provider who fails to comply with their responsible gambling code of conduct. We will not tolerate it".
