The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has imposed hefty fines and bans on two gaming machine licence holders for their roles in a gaming machine rebirthing racket.
A Liquor & Gaming NSW Investigation uncovered the racket which led to the seizure of 43 retired gaming machines from a warehouse in Chipping North and a licensed venue on Sydney’s north shore.
The machines had been scheduled for destruction at a recycling facility but were instead in the process of being rebirthed for sale to licensed venues.
Liquor & Gaming NSW’s Director of Compliance Operations, Sean Goodchild, said there are strict controls which regulate the keeping, movement and disposal of gaming machines.
“Gaming machines in NSW are tightly regulated and strict rules apply to sellers, dealers and technicians. The unlawful conduct in this case undermines the integrity of the industry and increases the risk of gaming machines falling into the wrong hands.”
The Authority imposed the penalties against gaming machine technician Riad Allam and gaming machine seller Justin Layden for their involvement in the illegal enterprise which involved the sale, purchase and consignment of gaming machines without the required authorisations.
Allam has been banned from the industry for three years and faces fines and costs of $66,000, while Layden has been banned for one year with fines and costs of $34,000.
It is against the law to be in possession of a gaming machine in NSW unless properly authorised, with maximum potential penalties of up to $11,000 and/or 12 months jail.