Goulburn Valley Hotel (GVH) Shepparton Pty Ltd has been issued with a $100,000 fine for providing false information to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
In November 2022, GVH applied for a license to operate 40 poker machines at the Shepparton hotel. However, GVH did not disclose that the license nominee had been found guilty of two accounts of negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime, without conviction, in June.
VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt stated that it is a requirement under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 in Victoria that criminal offending is disclosed as part of the licence application process.
“By providing wrong information, an applicant impedes the regulator from fully assessing their suitability to hold a licence,” Kimmitt said.
“We expect applicants to abide by the law and provide complete and accurate information. This is a critical part of ensuring that the gambling industry operates with safety and integrity and is free from criminal influence or exploitation.”
Additional licence and reporting conditions have been applied to GVH and another venue operator licence associated with the nominee, Pan Hotels Pty Ltd.
“The $100,000 fine reflects the severity of the offence and should demonstrate to other applicants and operators that we’re serious about compliance with legal obligations,” said Kimmitt.
The GVH fine is the latest in a slew of punitive measures the VGCCC has undertaken in the last two years, with a further 88 disciplinary actions against other gambling licensees and employees over the course of 2023-24.
VGCCC chair Fran Thorn states that the recent crackdowns are a demonstration of the commissions commitment to ensure safe gambling practices and to ensure licensees uphold its obligations.
“Our regulatory response is proportionate to the risks posed and harms caused when a gambling operator fails to comply with its obligations. We have no tolerance for deliberate or opportunistic contraventions of the law and will not hesitate to take appropriate action when we detect a breach,” Thorn said. GVH have been granted the chance to appeal the decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).