According to recent news reports in the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper in Australia a gambling machine owned by Vaguenet that was confiscated from South Melbourne’s Rising Sun hotel more than six months ago is currently under debate, as Vaguenet demand the return of its machine. The Australian government has, as yet, not filed any charges in relation to the case and Vaguenet has begun to instigate proceedings in order to get its machine returned.
Vaguenet, who manufacture the machine in question, which is a touch-screen computer kiosk that offers users internet access and has been regarded by gambling authorities as a “suspected illegal betting device”, are currently seeking a court order that would guarantee the return of their machine. The case itself represents a true test of what many regard as largely outdated gambling regulations in what is a high-speed Internet age.
As the case begins to unfold the Victorian government, which is currently preparing to award its updated wagering license, has taken fairly dramatic measures to retain their control on the online gambling industry. Tabcorp, the company that actually filed a complaint last year regarding the machine currently under dispute, is now in line to receive a new wagering license from authorities that would include an exclusive license for retail rights in pubs around Victoria.
Australia’s Sportsbet has commissioned Venuenet to develop the computer kiosks in order to provide access to SportsBet and a range of other services online. The computer successfully showcases and features access to a range of gambling features as well as a range of other industry sectors. According to John Thompson, Chairman of VenueNet, the delay in the prosecution of the case continued to cost the company millions of dollars and, as a result, he would consider pursuing a compensation claim.
VenueNet has plans to install 200 similar such machines in Australia’s eastern states but will refrain from executing such plans until the current case has been concluded. Mr. Thompson told Business Day “I think we’d face (a similar action) until this case is resolved. Everyone is currently focusing on this.” The manufacturers of the machine equipment used in the computer kiosk have given sworn statements to the effect that the machine does not differ from other computer kiosks supplied by them to other outlets such as airports.
The computer kiosks affords user access via the internet to Sportsbet’s website at which they can make use of a Sportsbet betting account. The bone of contention is that the computer itself does not accept or record bets and, as a result of this, it cannot be deemed a gambling device. The Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation has filed an appeal with Victoria’s Supreme Court in an attempt to prevent Sportsbet getting a hearing in the magistrates’ court as a third party in the pending case on any legal matters pertaining to the seizure warrant.
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