
Australia’s Hellenic Club of Canberra was fined A$1.2M by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission for violating gambling regulations.
The Hellenic Club of Canberra was fined A$1.2M by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission following an investigation into the suicide of problem gambler Raimo Kasurinen.
A four-year inquiry found the club failed to prevent excessive gambling losses and violated cash withdrawal limits. Kasurinen and his wife were repeatedly allowed to withdraw more than the legal A$200 limit per transaction via the club’s EFTPOS facilities. The club also failed to document problem gambling incidents as required by Gambling and Racing Control Regulations, which mandate reporting within three trading days.
The issue surfaced after Kasurinen’s son-in-law, David Chambers, raised concerns in 2019 and 2020 about excessive gambling losses. He later filed a formal complaint with the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission. Chambers claimed the club ignored repeated warnings and enabled patrons to bypass EFTPOS withdrawal limits by disguising multiple transactions. He alleged the system allowed withdrawals of up to A$1,000 in a single transaction, bypassing regulations.
Records show that Kasurinen and his wife had gambled over A$345,000 since 2012, though Chambers believes the actual amount is higher. The commission stated that the fine serves as a public warning against future regulatory breaches in handling problem gambling cases.
The Hellenic Club has appealed the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission’s ruling to the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal, expressing disappointment over the decision. The club argued that the case pertains to procedural compliance rather than direct harm prevention, stating that the focus was on recording gambling incidents and EFTPOS withdrawal limits. A spokesperson noted that the ongoing appeal process limits further comment.
The Alliance for Gambling Reform welcomed the commission’s action but called for stronger harm prevention measures, such as cashless gaming, to reduce problem gambling. The group cited research showing that 63 cents of every dollar spent on gambling machines comes from individuals with gambling addictions.
The A$1.2M fine against the Hellenic Club is among the largest ever imposed in the ACT for gambling-related violations. However, industry representatives, including ClubsACT, voiced concerns about the complexity of current regulations.