By James Atkinson
Victoria's liquor and gaming regulator has had a busy few days, seizing illegal gaming machines and banning a nightclub promotion that encouraged patrons to drink excessively.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) yesterday seized nine gaming machines from a mechanic workshop in Moorabbin pending the outcome of an investigation.
It is alleged that the machines were being advertised for sale on trading website Gumtree. The accused is cooperating with inspectors.
Under Victorian gambling laws it is illegal to manufacture, sell, supply, obtain or be in possession of a gaming machine without approval from the regulator. If found guilty a person can face penalties of up to $144,600 and/or imprisonment for up to two years, or six years if they are doing so as part of a commercial enterprise.
Also this week, the VCGLR issued a notice to the licensee of Mynt Lounge in Werribee banning the promotion known as "Trasher of the Week".
The Commission has decided the advertising and promotion of the event was likely to encourage irresponsible consumption of alcohol and was not in the public interest.
Following contact with the venue's licensee, the Commission said it had received advice that the website hosting pictures from the promotion had been pulled down.
Mynt said in a statement on its website: "We acknowledge on reflection that our promotion 'Trasher of the Week' sent the wrong message, therefore it has been removed.
"Management will double its efforts to ensure its advertising satisfies the guidelines set out by the VCGLR for responsible liquor advertising and promotion."
Venues who do not comply with a banning notice commit a criminal offence and can face penalties of up to $17,323.20.