Tabcorp Hit with $4.6 Million Fine

Tabcorp, Australia's largest betting company, has been fined $4.6 million for violating gambling regulations, which represents half of the maximum penalty possible set by the regulator. An investigation conducted by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission revealed that Tabcorp consistently flouted betting rules and the responsible gambling code from August 2020 to February 2023.

Fran Thorne, chair of the commission, emphasised that the hefty fine reflects the seriousness of the violations committed by the licensee. "This is the largest penalty the commission has ever levied against Tabcorp, sending a strong message to the entire gambling industry that such behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," she stated.

The inquiry was prompted by a call from an anonymous Tabcorp customer service manager, who reported that a customer had wagered $135,000 within a month. Despite being alerted, Tabcorp failed to intervene and address the gambling addiction. Thorne pointed out that this incident illustrates Tabcorp's neglect of its responsibility to mitigate the negative effects of gambling addiction: "The recorded conversation reveals a lack of commitment to responsible gambling and an indifference to the welfare of the customer," she remarked.

Additionally, she condemned the company's approach: "Rather than offering support or helping the individual manage their gambling responsibly, the call was used to encourage further gambling." The customer received six promotional offers between October 2022 and February 2023, despite requesting to opt out of such communications. It wasn't until May 2023 that Tabcorp finally closed the customer's account.

Other reported violations included inadequate support for customers exhibiting signs of problem gambling and insufficient staff training to minimize potential harm from gambling. The regulator has mandated that Tabcorp improves its practices and has committed to closely monitoring the effectiveness of the company's revised program.