Victoria’s gambling industry watchdog has hit Tabcorp with a $4.6 million fine after it found the betting giant repeatedly breached the state’s laws.
Tabcorp was found to have breached marketing codes of conduct, failed to adequately train staff members, and failed to provide appropriate customer support.
The breaches occurred between August 2020 and February 2023.
Tabcorp
Tabcorp is one of the country’s largest betting companies. It owns clubs, hotels, and other licensed venues across multiple states.
Tabcorp was awarded Victoria’s Wagering and Betting Licence last year.
That means it holds exclusive rights to all wagering and betting activities in the state (outside of racetracks) for the next 20 years.
Tabcorp has been issued multiple fines over recent years, including a $45 million Federal Court fine for failing to manage money laundering risks.
Breaches
The VGCCC found that on six different occasions, Tabcorp sent marketing to a customer who had opted out of receiving these materials.
The betting giant was also found to have “failed to minimise potential gambling harms” by not adequately training employees, and not giving customers enough support.
In one instance, an account manager placed a “responsible gambling call” to a customer who had shown concerning betting patterns. The call ended with the customer receiving a “deposit match promotion” of $2,000 in their account.
VGCCC
The VGCCC says the repeated breaches are “indicative of a culture” that reflects ”systemic operational deficiencies”.
Commission chair Fran Thorn said the “hefty fine… is proportionate to the seriousness” of Tabcorp’s breaches, which “reflect systemic operational deficiencies”.
“[The fine] sends a clear message to the gambling industry that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable and will not be tolerated,” Thorn said.
Gambling ads
The fine comes amid intensifying calls for the Federal Government to commit to stronger gambling reforms.
In June 2023, a federal inquiry into gambling harms made 31 recommendations. It proposed a phased ban of all TV, radio, and online gambling ads within three years.
It’s expected the Government will introduce legislation to restrict TV gambling ads, not a total ban.
Tabcorp response
The VGCCC has instructed Tabcorp to create a “transformation program” to ensure it complies with the law.
Tabcorp said it will work cooperatively with VGCCC.
It said it has already “taken significant steps” to improve customer safety, and will introduce new customer monitoring systems.
