Commission approves additional 15 pokies at McKinnon Hotel

On 10 and 11 November 2022, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission heard an application by McKinnon Hotels Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the McKinnon Hotel from 45 to 60.

On 13 December 2022, the commission approved the application with conditions.

The commission found the social and economic impact to the wellbeing of the City of Glen Eira community, if the application was approved, will not be detrimental. Hence the 'no net detriment' test was met.

The commission's approval is subject to the following conditions:

1. Harm Minimisation

(a) Before the installation of the additional 15 EGMs (Additional EGMs) at the Premises the Venue Operator must develop a policy and procedures manual in consultation with the relevant Venue Support Worker designed to adopt best practice and ensure harm minimisation in connection with the use of all EGMs at the Premises (Policy).

(b) The Policy must include:

i. steps the venue will take to minimise harm from the operation of all the EGMs, over and above any steps or existing requirements currently detailed in the AHA Code of Conduct, the current VGCCC Gambling Venue Checklist and RSG requirements set out in the GR Act/regulations etc; and

ii. relevant nominee, staff and management training on recognising customer distress and intervention techniques over and above existing mandatory RSG training requirements.

(c) Before the installation of the Additional EGMs at the Premises, the Venue Operator must submit a draft copy of the Policy to the VGCCC. If the VGCCC request changes be made to the draft Policy, then the Venue Operator must provide an updated Policy to the VGCCC.

(d) The Policy must remain visible and on display in a prominent position in the Gaming Room at all times when the Gaming Room is open to the public.

(e) The Policy must be implemented and complied with at all times any EGMs are in operation at the Premises.

(f) The nominee or a senior officer of the Venue Operator must provide an attestation on a yearly basis to the VGCCC that the gaming room is being operated in compliance with the Policy.

(g) Where the VGCCC determines that the Venue Operator has not implemented or has breached the Policy, and the failure to implement or breach of the Policy is ongoing, the VGCCC may direct the Venue Operator to cease operating any of the EGMs at the Premises until such time as the matter is rectified to the satisfaction of the VGCCC.

(h) Wherever practicable all entrances to the Gaming Room have frosted glass or other means to obscure vision into the Gaming Room.

2. Community Contributions

(a) The Venue Operator will make cash contributions annually in the sum of $50,000 (increased each year by CPI) (Cash Contributions) and in-kind contributions annually in the sum of $50,000 (In-kind Contributions) for each financial year during which any of the Additional EGMs are in operation at the Premises.

(b) The Cash Contributions and In-kind Contributions will be allocated each financial year to community groups and sporting clubs in the City of Glen Eira.

(c) The In-kind Contributions will be valued in terms of the actual cost to the Venue Operator of the goods or services contributed to community groups and sporting clubs.

(d) The Venue Operator must keep detailed financial records of the Cash Contributions and In-kind Contributions and will provide financial accounts evidencing the contributions to the VGCCC on request.

(e) The Venue Operator must provide a statutory declaration to the VGCCC confirming the Cash Contributions and In-kind Contributions are allocated in full by 30 June each financial year as required in condition 2(a).

(f) If the Cash Contributions and In-kind Contributions are not allocated in full each financial year as required in condition 2(a), the operation of the Additional EGMs must cease immediately for so long as those contributions (or part thereof) remain outstanding.

3. Other conditions

(a) The Venue Operator must ensure that food and drink is made available to patrons at all times the gaming room is in operation.

(b) The Venue Operator will engage an external training organisation to provide Money Laundering (AML) and Counter Terrorism Financing (CTF) risk awareness training to the nominee, staff and management using a know your customer approach (AML/CTF Risk Awareness Training Program).

(c) The AML/CTF Risk Awareness Training Program must be a written plan that shows how the nominee, staff and management are instructed about the following:

i. the Venue Operator’s obligations under Australia’s AML/CTF law;

ii. the consequences of not complying with AML/CTF legislation;

iii. the type of money laundering (ML) or terrorism financing (TF) the Premises might face and the consequences of this risk; and

iv. how the Venue Operator will meet their obligations, including processes and procedures to identify, manage and mitigate this risk.

(d) Where the VGCCC determines that the Venue Operator has not complied with conditions 3(a), 3(b) and/or 3(c)(i)-(iv) above, the VGCCC may direct the Venue Operator to cease operating any of the EGMs at the Premises until such time as the matter is rectified to the satisfaction of the VGCCC.

Read the commission decision on the VGCCC website.

Read more about pokies in the City of Glen Eira.