A former supervisor at one of Hervey Bay RSL group’s venues has been sentenced in court over gaming breaches, after a self-excluded patron was not evicted.
Hervey Bay RSL’s operations include its venue at Pialba, as well as the Bayswater Hotel, Clubhouse Hervey Bay, restaurants, and Club Burpengary, and has plans for an upmarket residential complex at Urangan. It sponsors a number of community and sporting groups in the region.
Kelly Ann Glover was a supervisor at the RSL when a self-reported problem gambler entered the gaming room, in November 2023.
The club endorses self-exclusion, where an individual requests the venue ban them from gambling offerings.
Hervey Bay Magistrates Court heard Glover received a notification that the excluded person had entered, and failed to stop them.
Four days after the incident, she was interviewed by an official from the Office of Liquor & Gaming Regulation (OLGR), and denied having committed the offence.
OLGR’s litigator, Will Slack, stated to the court Glover had known the man was prohibited and “failed in her duty” when he was not removed from the club.
Appearing on 22 February, 46-year-old Glover had changed her mind and pleaded guilty to one count, around ‘failing in obligation to prevent a person from entering or remaining in licensed premises or gaming machine area’.
She explained to the court that she had originally been hired as a floor manager, not a supervisor, and felt she was “rushed into the role” and did not receive the proper training. It was said the notification had been sent to her phone, which she did not have on her at the time.
Glover also testified that she has exited the hospitality industry and now works at NAB, and had decided to plead guilty so as to “get it over and done with” and move on.
McGarvie was concerned over this admission and stated that it is important that floor managers ensure the Gambling Act is being enforced, but decided to not convict Glover, on the basis it would unfairly impact her new career.
The defendant was instead fined $1,000 and ordered to pay OLGR’s costs, amounting to $1,500.
A spokesperson for the group commented to Cairns Post that the club strives to foster a safe-haven for all.
“Hervey Bay RSL Club places a high priority on training and ensures that all staff are properly trained.
“We aim to provide the safest, most welcoming environment for all Club patrons.”
