Second fine in four months for ALH Group

The Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group has been hit with a second fine in four months over failings regarding the operation of its electronic gaming machines.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission said the AU$480,000 penalty related to the group operating EGMs at eight venues outside of nominated trading hours and for failing to observe mandatory shutdown periods.

The failings, the VGCCC said, took place between February 15 and May 25.

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

“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.”

Gaming venues are required to shutdown for 4 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 August, the ALH Group was fined $550,000 for operating 220 EGMs without YourPlay technology installed.