Hellenic Club Partially Overturns $1.2M Gambling Fine

Canberra’s Hellenic Club secured a partial win against a $1.2 million fine for breaches of poker machine law. The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal overturned portions of the fine related to identifying problem gambling, citing “vague and uncertain” laws.

What Happened

The Hellenic Club of Canberra achieved a partial victory in its appeal to reverse a $1.2 million fine for violations of poker machine regulations, specifically concerning its handling of problem gambling, according to The Canberra Times. The fine was initially imposed by the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission.

The case focused on Marlene and Raimo “Ray” Kasurinen, who reportedly lost $345,597 on Hellenic Club poker machines between 2012 and March 2020. Mr. Kasurinen died by suicide on March 31, 2020. The ACT Gambling and Racing Commission had fined the club for two primary reasons: failing to identify the couple’s gambling problems and allowing Mrs. Kasurinen to make multiple small withdrawals from an EFTPOS machine to circumvent legal limits, The Canberra Times reported.

Key Details

• The ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal (ACAT) accepted the Hellenic Club’s argument regarding its inability to identify problem gambling based on 28 alleged incidents, stating the relevant ACT laws were “vague and uncertain,” according to The Canberra Times.
• ACAT panel members Greg Curtin and Emma Morrison did not criticize the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission but found that employees did not subjectively perceive observed behaviors as signs of problem gambling, as reported by The Canberra Times.
• The Tribunal found against the club concerning multiple, immediate EFTPOS withdrawals, ruling that distinguishing between one large prohibited withdrawal and several small, successive ones was an “artificial” interpretation, The Canberra Times stated.
• Marlene Kasurinen and the couple’s daughter and son-in-law, Vanessa and David Chambers, gave evidence at the tribunal, expressing concerns that signs of harm were missed despite their contacts with the club urging staff to ban the couple from poker machines, according to The Canberra Times.

Why It Matters

This ruling highlights challenges in applying and interpreting problem gambling regulations within regulated markets. The ACAT’s finding that ACT gambling laws were “vague and uncertain” regarding the identification of problem gambling behavior could impact how clubs and regulatory bodies implement and enforce responsible gaming measures. The partial overturning of the fine introduces questions about the clarity of regulatory expectations and the practical capacity of operators to identify complex cases of problem gambling, as detailed by The Canberra Times.

What’s Next

A new hearing is scheduled for November to determine the appropriate penalty for the Hellenic Club, which is anticipated to be less than the initial $1.2 million, according to The Canberra Times. Hellenic Club chief executive Ian Cameron stated the club welcomes the tribunal’s findings regarding problem gambling allegations and maintains its commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for members. He indicated that further comment would be inappropriate given the upcoming hearing, The Canberra Times reported.

Originally reported by The Canberra Times·Published 20 Jul 2026, 05:02