Exclusion is a service offered by gambling venues that helps to protect problem gamblers from losing control of their spending. Players who enter the casino while banned not only face the possibility of losing their money; they can also be changed as criminals – and that is exactly what has happened to Eddie Hayson. Hayson, a brother owner who is well-known in the local gambling market, was banned by the NSW Police in 2008.
While no particular reason was provided for the exclusion order, it is likely due to the fact that he may have a gambling problem. During that same year, he was sued by Betstar for over $400 000 – and, possibly lost a similar amount at The Star. Last year, he declared insolvency, having accumulated $52 million in debt. Recently, security guards at The Star found Hayson at the 24/7 Sportsbar.
This was the second time that he was spotted at the casino since being banned in 2008. The manager asked him to confirm his identity, and he seemed confused puzzled at being approached. When he was informed about the ban, he stated that it was actually overturned two years ago – but, he was still turned away. Hayson was later charged with ‘entering a casino as an excluded person’.
The penalty for this crime is one year in jail or a $50 000 fine. In some cases, a judge may order the individual to undergo gambling counselling. This is one of the few cases that we have heard about a person being charged after entering a casino while facing an exclusion order. It is likely that local police are cracking down on this type of behaviour in order to help protect at-risk players.
Improved security would certainly help to keep banned problem gamblers away from casinos and pokie clubs, and Hayson’s case could be a sign of lower tolerance for excluded players.
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