45 Poker Machines
Cnr Pall Mall and Williamson Street,
Bendigo 3550
Tel: 5443 0333
City of Greater Bendigo.
Licensed to Tabcorp.
Hotel Website
2006 VCGR Community Benefit Statement
2005 VCGR Community Benefit Statement
VCGR Inquiries or Hearings

Pokie Loss History
2005/06 pokie losses were $3,684,959 at $81,888 per pokie
2006/07 pokie losses were $3,509,567 at $77,990 per pokie
2007/08 pokie losses were $3,591,866 at $79,819 per pokie
2008/09 pokie losses were $3,648,200 at $81,071 per pokie

17 July 2008 Inspection Notes:

'Cannot Win' talker signs
1 pokie was missing its sign. All other signs placed on the pokie not the top box. A few were placed at the bottom of the pokie so as not to be visible when looking into the video play face. Most were placed opposite the animated reels.
There were plastic sign holders affixed to the very top of the top boxes. There were no signs that utilised these holders.

Visibility of ATM from Gaming Room
No. In Pall Mall entrance. As pictured there is a sign in this entrance advertising availability on an ATM inside. There was a 'Cannot Win' talker affixed to the ATM

Distance of ATM from nearest pokie
20 paces

Visible posting of availability of Self-Exclusion facility
None. There was a Gambler's Anonymous hot line number posted by the cashier's area. There was a Gambler's Help sign in the men's toilet.

Number of Player Information Posters
4. Two were posted on dividers that extended perpendicularly into the pokies room. One was posted on the glass wall at the rear. Another was behind the cashier.

Eating in Gaming Room
No food service posted. Tables and chairs suitable for eating were observed. Saloon Bar under construction.

Coffee / Tea service in Gaming Room
Yes. Complimentary Tea and Coffee available.

Visibility from Bistro Area
None. No sounds either would be likely to be heard outside of the room. Separate entrance for TAB and pokies. This is best practice.

Kid's Play Area
None observed.

Do not leave children in vehicle signs/notices
Observed on Pall Mall entrance and in internal dividing area between the hotel rooms and the pokie room.

External Clock
Yes. Located next to cashier's area.

Posters in pokies room that do not promote gambling
All posters promoted some form of gambling activity. These included a poster observed upon entry indicating that jackpots of between $400-500 were available. Also a freestanding display for Tabaret $2 million Cash and Grab. Two lit poster boxes. There was a large poster indicating activities happening in August. These seem all gambling related. Also a large 2 Deal or not 2 Deal display.
The venue uses the Tabaret "You Can Feel It" signs which imply that the longer one gambles the more likely that there will be a jackpot.

General Comments
Older room. Only window is the doorway to the smoker's area.
On top of the pokies were 10 'Hot Tip' displays. These were produced for Gambler's Week. Many were obscured by other talkers for the R&R Club.
A phorescent tube was also observed being stored on top of one of the pokies.
There is an R&R Club machine in the Pall Mall entrance. It is clearly visible from the street.
An elderly man was observed playing a "Daily Double" game. There was also a device affixed to the wall just before entering the pokie room. This device seemed to be a swipe for the R&R card. A copy of the R&R Club brochure was obtained. A customer comment card was also picked up.
In June 2007 the Bendigo Advertiser reported upon a woman took $18,000 to feed a pokies habit. Most of her ATM withdrawals (90 out of 102 withdrawals) occurred at the Shamrock Hotel. Please click here to read the full report. The Advertiser also reported Mr. Hogan's comments upon the removal of ATM in its 14 March 2008 issue. Click here to read Mr. Hogan's comments.