Big fines and bans over gaming machine rebirthing racket

Two NSW gaming machine industry licence holders are facing lengthy bans and combined fines and legal costs of $100,000 for their roles in a gaming machine rebirthing racket.

The penalties against the two men follow a Liquor & Gaming NSW investigation which included the seizure of 43 retired gaming machines from a warehouse at Chipping Norton and a licensed venue on Sydney’s north shore.

The machines had been scheduled for destruction at a recycling facility but were instead in the process of being rebirthed for sale to licensed venues.

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority has imposed hefty penalties against gaming machine technician Riad Allam and gaming machine seller Justin Layden for their involvement in the illegal enterprise which involved the sale, purchase and consignment of gaming machines without the required authorisations.

Mr Allam has been banned from the industry for three years and faces fines and costs of $66,000, while Mr Layden has been banned for one year with fines and costs of $34,000.

Liquor & Gaming NSW’s Director of Compliance Operations, Sean Goodchild, said there are strict controls which regulate the keeping, movement and disposal of gaming machines.

“Gaming machines in NSW are tightly regulated and strict rules apply to sellers, dealers and technicians. The unlawful conduct in this case undermines the integrity of the industry and increases the risk of gaming machines falling into the wrong hands.”

It is against the law to be in possession of a gaming machine in NSW unless properly authorised, with maximum potential penalties of up to $11,000 and/or 12 months jail.

ILGA’s complaint decisions can be viewed here.