The Riversdale Hotel in Hawthorne, Victoria faced a unique issue, as the property recently came under fire for having an entrance that led directly to four poker machines. To solve this problem, the pub has proposes a unique technological resolution. The VCGLR stated that it could be potentially dangerous for a hotel to have an entrance that leads directly to poker machines.
Officials for the regulator presented the solution of closing the entrance so that passers-by would not have direct access to pokies immediately upon entering the property. The Southern Trust, which operates the pokies at the property, appealed the decision. Closing the entrance would require patrons to walk from the carpark which is around the corner from the actual hotel.
As 150 metre walk, it would be an inconvenience for visitors, and may hurt the hotel’s business. The trust also argued that the risk of underage gambling is minimal, as the community in which the venue is located is very small, and patrons would certainly recognise individuals who should not be gambling at the hotel. The Trust presented a new technological solution in the form of a ‘virtual door’.
This will see the hotel install an HD television screen that displays a live feed of the door. Whenever someone enters the property from that entrance, a buzzer will ring and staff can look at the television screen to identify the person. This will allow them to intervene if an underage individual or a self-excluded player has entered, and take the necessary actions. The screen will be installed within the next few weeks.
''We were very happy with the outcome, a bit of common sense and the acknowledgement that technology is always moving and improving,” says Karen Shea, Chief Executive of the Southern Trust.
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