A regional venue in Victoria has been fined AU$150,000 (US$107,111) after inspectors identified multiple breaches of gambling regulation requirements and responsible gambling procedures.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) issued the penalty to Warrnambool Horse Hotel Pty Ltd, trading as the Flying Horse Bar and Brewery, following inspections conducted in February 2024.
According to the regulator, the venue breached four categories of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic), including operating without a licensed Gambling Industry Employee on 12 occasions between 29 January and 20 February 2024.
Inspectors also found failures to retain CCTV footage for the required 28 days, maintain continuous surveillance of the gaming area and keep an unclaimed winnings register.
Responsible gambling procedures were also not followed. Investigators recorded 22 instances where no Responsible Gambling Officer was present in the poker machine area while machines were available.
Staff also failed to interact with a distressed patron on three occasions, served alcohol to a person actively using a machine without engagement and one employee used residual credits on two machines while working.
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said: “The severity of this fine reflects the seriousness of the venue’s shortcomings. It is the largest fine issued to a club or hotel for these types of offences.”
Neilan added: “Venue staff play an important role in protecting people from potentially experiencing gambling harm and all employees must take this responsibility seriously.”
The regulator noted that required safeguards exist to reduce risks linked to gambling harm and criminal activity. The venue previously pleaded guilty in August 2025 to four charges relating to minors entering the gaming room and was fined AU$6,000 by the Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court.
The VGCCC said the operator cooperated with the investigation and has since implemented remedial measures including staff training, installation of continuous CCTV and introduction of an unclaimed winnings register.
Last month, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld a AU$100,000 VGCCC penalty against bookmaker partnership OkeBet for unlawful marketing to self-excluded customers and offering prohibited inducements to community sporting clubs.
Wagering providers in Victoria are prohibited from offering inducements to open betting accounts
