A big scandal shook the Australian gambling industry, when the former gambling addict Shonica Guy brought Crown Casino and the manufacturer of poker machines Aristocrat to the Federal Court of Australia, accusing the two companies of offering deceitful content in their Dolphin Treasure poker machines. Crown Casino’s lawyers rejected that the company was part of the deceitful scheme, claiming that all the poker machines owned by Crown Casino are tested and authorized by Victoria’s statutory authority, which is responsible for regulating the gambling industry.
Further Details about the Alleged Deceit
The whole pursuit started when Ms. Shonica Guy filed a legal claim against Crown Casino and Aristocrat, blaming the two companies that their poker machines are rigged and misleading. What is even more striking in this case is that the plaintiff is not looking for a financial compensation, but she wants a declaration that her accusations are reasonable, explaining that she wants to prove all the fans of Dolphin Treasure pokies are fooled with misleading content.
The lawsuit alleges that the Dolphin Treasure poker machines are designed in a way to dupe players by using visual and sound effects. Ms. Guy’s lawyers also pointed out that the pokies feature fifth unusual reel, which has more symbols than the other four. In that way, the chances to match the symbols are more than slight. It is interesting to note that Crown’s casino in Melbourne offers 38 of these Dolphin Treasure machines.
After Ms. Guy filed the case in the court, psychology and gambling disorder experts were assigned the task to investigate the pokies during the 14-day trial period and provide evidence to the case. On Tuesday, 12th September, Crown Casino’s lawyers declared that all the poker machines, which the casino offers are checked and approved by Victoria’s officials. Aristocrat is also expected to introduce its defence in the court, after which Justice Debbie Mortimer is to announce the final decision.
Attempt to Change Gamblers’ Perceptions
It emerged on the surface that Ms. Guy was fighting gambling problems for 14 long years. Speaking of the lawsuit, the anti-gambling advocate Tim Costello explained that the main goal of the case is to address a message to all the players that the problem is hidden in the poker machines, but not in their minds. In this way, people with gambling problems are supposed to change their approach to the games, helping them fight the addiction. The court is yet to announce its decision, but supposing Ms. Guy wins the case, the two companies will say farewell to their licenses.
