SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Tabcorp has been ordered by the gambling authority of Victoria to ‘go cashless’ with its electronic betting terminals (EBTs) to prevent underage gambling.
Annette Kimmitt, CEO of the Victoria Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), highlighted that there is currently a need for stricter protection against underage gambling after multiple reported incidents of minors placing bets without obstruction or the need to verify IDs.
In a statement, she said: “It is inexcusable to accept a bet from a minor and tougher actions are required to protect the community, especially children, from gambling harm.
“Venue staff are the first line of defence in protecting minors from gambling. We have taken decisive measures where they have failed to take their responsibilities seriously.”
In order to avoid further breaches, Tabcorp will now have to accept cash bets on terminals only if they are within five metres and observable from the counter of gambling venues under VGCCC’s requirements.
Further changes will see the majority of Tabcorp’s 1,800 terminals in Victoria only accept vouchers after a mandatory ID and age check completed at the counter.
Earlier this week, Kimmitt revealed that there have been a number of letters sent to her by parents in Victoria where they’ve expressed growing concern for their children after finding out that they are secretly gambling.
The VGCCC then called upon Australia’s cabinet under PM Albanese to urgently clamp down on wagering advertisements, with online ads already being targeted as part of a wider nationwide campaign voted last July.
Victoria itself will work towards upgrading its wagering regime to better serve tax collection and consumer protection duties by the end of 2024, with the consumption tax on retail and online betting going up from 10% to 15%.
2024 will see Tabcorp become the operator of Victoria’s State Wagering Betting Licence. The contract valued at AU$ 600m (€350m) will see TAB brand serve as the stand-alone retail wagering operator and betting machines supplier for pubs in the state of Victoria for a period of 20 years beginning in August 2024 until 2043.
