Liquor & Gaming NSW announced that the operator of an inner Sydney venue was found guilty of a gambling-related violation. According to the authority’s report, the licensee in question had placed an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) in an ATM room attached to its gaming room.

For reference, the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019 specifies that ATMs must be located in completely separate rooms. Vbar, the venue in question, however, sported an ATM in an adjacent room, violating NSW’s regulations. In addition, the property sported a large text reading ATM that was displayed across the door to the room.

The rules concerning the placement of ATMs align with NSW’s efforts to minimize gambling harm. The proximity of ATMs leads to risks of repeated withdrawals, exacerbating problem players’ harm. As a result, inspectors continue to monitor the placement of ATMs, targeting a variety of factors. These include the availability of credit from ATMs on the premises of a gambling venue, the visibility of internal gaming-related signage outside the venue and hotel layouts that compel visitors to pass through a gaming room when going to another area.

In addition, inspectors continue to make sure that gaming rooms include self-exclusion messaging, comply with Gaming Plans of Management and do not let minors in.

Vbar Was Penalized

Because of Vbar’s violation, the property’s licensee was ordered to pay the prosecutor’s costs in the amount of AUD 5,500 by the Local Court. According to Liquor & Gaming NSW’s executive director of regulatory operations, Jane Lin, the position of the ATM in Vbar was a “clear breach” of the Gaming Machines Regulation 2019.

Lin explained:

ATMs must be located in a part of the venue completely separate to gaming rooms or any other part of a venue where gaming machines are located, even if the internal design or fit-out of the room acts to screen the ATM.

Jane Lin, exec director of regulatory operations, Liquor & Gaming NSW

Lin added that having easy access to withdrawals can make it easier for players to lose track of how much they are spending. Because of that, ATMs should be located further away from gaming machines, encouraging players to have a break.

Lin concluded that her team will not tolerate violations of fundamental gambling harm minimization measures.

Any operators who attempt to circumvent the legislation will be met with a strong enforcement response.

Jane Lin, exec director of regulatory operations, Liquor & Gaming NSW

The regulator’s claim was supported by the Magistrate, which agreed that Vbar violated NSW’s regulations.

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After operating for 80 years, Northville Downs, Michigan’s last horse racing track, will discontinue its operations at its current location as of early next month. Details released by the gambling regulator in the state, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), reveal that the final race for Northville Downs at its current location at 301 S. Center St. in Northville is scheduled for Saturday, February 3, 2024.

The closure is related to a $250 million redevelopment of the racecourse. Previously, Northville Downs bought some 128 acres of land to use for building its new harness racing facility. The aforementioned piece of land is located on the corner of Five Mile and Ridge roads in Plymouth Township. According to the MGCB, the building of the new facility is subject to approval from the township board.

Considering the upcoming closure, bettors are no longer going to be able to place simulcast wagers in person at the current Northville Downs location starting from Monday, February 5, 2024. Still, the racetrack confirmed that it plans to reintroduce simulcast wagering at its new location. On the other hand, February 10, 2024, marks the last day patrons will be able to cash out winning wagers at Northville Downs. After this date, horse racing patrons can mail their winning tickets to Northville Downs, 47526 Clipper St., PO Box 701220, Plymouth, MI 48170, according to the MGCB.

“Northville Downs, the last horse racing track in Michigan, will soon cease operations at its current location at 301 S. Center St. in Northville after 80 years of providing excitement and entertainment to avid horse racing enthusiasts. The final race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024,“

reads a statement released by the MGCB

Michigan to Witness the Next Chapter of Horse Racing

Henry Williams, MGCB’s executive director, thanked all patrons at Northville Downs who enjoyed race days and visited the venue frequently. “We appreciate the support of those who have kept Northville Downs going for 80 years and look forward to the next chapter of horse racing in Michigan at a new location,” he added.

“The Michigan Gaming Control Board expresses our deepest gratitude to all of the Northville Downs patrons who have made each race day memorable and thrilling.“

Henry Williams, executive director at the MGCB

While Northville Downs will cease to operate at its current location in preparation for its new racetrack, fans of horse racing will be able to continue placing wagers via their mobile devices without interruptions. Patrons across Michigan can access licensed providers in the state, including FanDuel Racing, Xpressbet, NYRA Bets or Churchill Downs/Twin Spires to place wagers on popular events such as the Kentucky Derby, among others.

The post Northville Downs to Close Current Location, Plans Opening of New Venue appeared first on Keno Wizard.

The 16-year-old boy, whose name has not been released to the media, placed the wagers between May and September 2022, The Guardian originally reported.

Teenager Spent Only a Few Minutes Wagering at a Time

A comment provided by the Preston Hotel legal representative, Ben Niall, explained that the teenager had only spent a few minutes betting before leaving the venue each time, and the total, $2,500 was indeed a small amount of what the boy had spent in other venues.

According to the publication, the teenager had been struggling with gambling addiction and had raked up to $95,000 of gambling debt. The boy is said to have gambled at least $100,000 at various venues across Australia.

The boy’s mother discovered her son’s addiction in April 2022 and had since sought help, but she kept hitting a dead end as most organizations – some 30 contacted in total – not be able to intervene and advised the mother to not allow her son access to money.

The mother had re-mortgaged her home and taken on extra work to cover the gambling debts. In the meantime, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission has looked into the venues that supposedly allowed the teenager to spend money there, despite his addiction and not being of the appropriate gambling age.

Niall told the court that his client did not want to see children gambling and stated that the venue wanted to operate as a legitimate business and not prey on vulnerable individuals, let alone teenagers.

Although true, the onus is always on the venue and provider of gambling products to ensure that people who are not of the legal gambling age or suffer from gambling addiction, are unable to access their products, as confirmed by Magistrate Carolyn Howe.

Venues Need to Beef Up Their Screening of Who They Let Gamble

The case has made it all the way through to a Melbourne court where the details bout the case came to light. Problem and underage gambling is a serious issue in Australia, with the country undertaking a slew of measures designed to overhaul the industry and create a safer gambling framework for all.

The country has just introduced a credit card ban for online gambling, which will be coming into effect over the next six months (counting from royal ascent onwards).

Recently, eight venues and Tabcorp have been named by the VGCCC, but it’s not yet entirely clear if that statement has to do specifically with the story of the 16-year-old gambler, as revealed by the court.

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