Arabic version: هيئة قضائية تجد أن نادي هيلينيك خالف قواعد سحب الأموال عبر إي إف تي بوس

According to ABC News, the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal has cleared the Hellenic Club of Canberra of allegations that it failed to record signs of problem gambling involving Marlene and Raimo Kasurinen, while finding the club breached rules governing EFTPOS cash withdrawals. The tribunal found employees who gave evidence were not aware of signs of problem gambling, meaning the club had not breached the requirement to record incidents within three days of becoming aware of them.

The Kasurinens lost at least $345,000 on poker machines at the club, according to ACAT, although the figure reflected only occasions when membership cards were used. The couple began visiting the club in 2008 and increased their attendance after family and housing difficulties. In 2017, Mrs Kasurinen attended on 150 days and her husband, known as Ray, visited on 119 days. Ray died by suicide in March 2020 while the couple faced debts.

ACAT found the club had allowed Mrs Kasurinen to exceed the $200 EFTPOS cash-withdrawal limit on 45 occasions. On one night in December 2017, she withdrew $1,400 in seven instalments over less than two hours. The club had argued that each transaction was separate if it was completed physically and electronically before another began, but the tribunal rejected that submission.

The Racing and Gaming Commission fined the club $1.2 million in December 2024 over alleged failures to record problem gambling incidents on 28 dates. The club challenged the penalties. Chief executive Ian Cameron welcomed the finding on the recording allegations and said the club took its responsible-gambling duties seriously. ACAT will resume hearings in November to consider what new fine should be imposed after one of the two alleged breaches was ruled out.