The Hellenic Club has welcomed findings from the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) in a case involving allegations of problem gambling, as the matter is set to return to the tribunal for a further hearing.
According to the ABC, the case centres on Canberra woman Marlene Kasurinen, whose husband Raimo (Ray) died by suicide in March 2020 amid gambling debts.
The Kasurinens are reported to have lost at least $345,000 playing poker machines at the Hellenic Club.
ACAT found the Hellenic Club breached gambling regulations by allowing Kasurinen to withdraw more than the permitted $200 in cash via EFTPOS at the club on 45 occasions.
On one occasion, she withdrew $1,400 through seven transactions within two hours.
Kasurinen told the ABC that club staff had shown her and her husband how to use EFTPOS withdrawals to access additional cash after they had reached the $200 limit.
She said the couple had been told they could withdraw money in $200 increments, subject to the withdrawal limit on their bank card.
Kasurinen also said her gambling increased after the deaths of her brother and daughter, and that she had been offered free meals and other benefits at the club.
She told the ABC she felt the couple had been “groomed” to spend more time and money at the venue.
ACAT cleared the Hellenic Club of an alleged breach relating to its failure to record the Kasurinens’ gambling incidents as problem gambling incidents.
The tribunal found that none of the current or former employees who gave evidence said they were aware of signs of problem gambling in relation to the couple.
ACAT said its decision on the issue had arisen from “vague and uncertain laws”, noting that the regulatory framework did not clearly define signs of a gambling problem or behaviours that could constitute such signs.
The tribunal also raised questions about whether club staff were adequately trained to identify problem gambling behaviour.
The ACT’s gambling code of practice requires club staff to hold a Responsible Conduct of Gambling certificate, with training including a 32-item checklist of gambling behaviours. However, ACAT found the checklist did not include behaviours outlined in the code’s definition of problem gambling.
Neos Kosmos reached out to the Hellenic Club, who welcomed the findings.
“We welcome the Tribunal’s findings, which support the Club’s longstanding position in relation to the allegations concerning problem gambling,” CEO Ian Cameron said.
“Throughout this process, the Club has maintained that it takes its responsibilities around responsible gambling seriously and has always sought to provide a safe and supportive environment for its members.
“As the matter will return to ACAT for a further hearing in November, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
The tribunal is yet to determine any fines against the Hellenic Club.
ACT Minister for Gaming Reform Marisa Paterson told the ABC the case highlighted the impact of gambling harm and described the tribunal’s decision as a “test case”.
Paterson said the ACT Government was preparing a “significant reform agenda” for the territory’s gaming industry, including changes to gambling legislation and the code of practice.
She said the government was considering measures including a ban on EFTPOS and ATM withdrawals at clubs, which she said were contributing to gambling harm.
The matter is expected to return to ACAT for a further hearing in November.