Victoria's state gaming authority (VGCCC9) has fined the owner of the Rye Hotel $80.000 after two integrity breaches. Senior staff at the Rye Hotel falsified records to cover up an erroneous cash payment of $2.039 to a customer. Venues are required to pay any winnings over $2.000 by check or EFT. Attempting to cover up the violation constitutes a gross lack of integrity and misconduct.
In the second case, the venue issued a check to an ineligible person at the request of a winner who was unable to show identification to collect their winnings. Venues are required to ensure that they only process payments to the person playing the electronic gaming machine and that appropriate identity checks are carried out.
In addition to the fine, the owner has offered to take all reasonable steps to sell the Rye Hotel. The owner will also be required to seek the written consent of the VGCCC before becoming an associate of any participant in the gambling industry and not to obtain any new financial interest in or be employed by any company in the gambling industry connected to electronic gaming machines (EGM), without first informing the VGCCCC.
In issuing the fine, the CEO of VGCCC, Annette Kimmitt AM, said this decision sends a clear message to the industry about respecting integrity measures. “Operators and venue owners must understand the full extent of the consequences for falsifying documents and concealing bad behavior“Ms. Kimmitt said.
"We know that honest mistakes happen. However, venue managers who attempt to cover up violations will be exposed and face serious repercussions".
The VGCCC launched an investigation after receiving a complaint from a member of the public.
