Fine reportedly scrapped in Raiders club problem gambling case
A problem gambler who lost more than $200,000 at the Raiders club in Belconnen is furious after Canberra's gaming regulator reportedly scrapped a $120,000 fine imposed on the club for breaking poker machine laws.
The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission penalised the club last year after finding that it had failed on eight separate occasions to record the signs that Professor Laurie Brown had a gambling problem.
Clubs are required by law to keep a record of anyone showing signs of problem gambling - signs such as being unable to stop gambling, or making multiple ATM withdrawals.
The Raiders club blasted the commission's findings as "erroneous" and said its report was "riddled with errors", appealing the record fine in the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
The tribunal's findings are yet to be released, but the ABC claims to have seen tribunal documents detailing an agreement between the commission and the Raiders club to scrap the $120,000 fine and replace it with a reprimand.
The Raiders club will also reportedly make a $60,000 donation to an appropriate charity.
Professor Brown, who lost $226,050 at the Belconnen Raiders club over an 18-month period, blasted the reported agreement as "utterly pathetic and outrageous".
She said it was abundantly clear she was a problem gambler and that the Raiders club didn't fulfill its legal responsibilities.
"I feel like the rules are rigged so the house always wins," Professor Brown said.
"They've been reprimanded, which is a win, but it's a loss for us.
"If this is not a wake-up call for the government to change the laws I don't know what is.
"I think the Raiders should hang their head in shame."
Professor Brown said charities dealing with problem gambling shouldn't be "the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff", and that clubs had to be responsible for helping minimise harm.
"I chose to go into the Raiders, but I didn't agree to the Raiders making money out of promoting my addiction," she said.
"I feel completely let down by the Gambling and Racing Commission."
An ACT government spokeswoman said the commission could not comment until its board made a decision in accordance with the tribunal's orders.
Raiders Group chief executive Simon Hawkins has been contacted for comment.