Employees of gaming machine operator Tatts Group Ltd
(ASX:TTS) have reportedly decided to take matters into their own hands and have started their own business to try and recoup some of the funds the company will lose from 2012 when the new Victorian gaming licences come into play.
The Victorian Government announced in 2008 that from 2012 it will end the duopoly between Tatts and Tabcorp on gaming machines in pubs and clubs.
A Fairfax report says Tatts is widely expected to become Victoria’s regulator of the integrity of pokie machines from 2012 however if it wins this role it will not be allowed manage gaming venues.
The report in the Age newspaper says two divisional managers and a former manager of Tatts have set up a company called Progressive Venue Services which will run gaming operations for venues from 2012.
The business will need approval from the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.
The Age says Progressive Venue Services is also offering a way for venues to side-step a ban on ATM machines in gaming venues by allowing gamblers access to funds by swiping their card at what they call an ‘ecash pospoint’ at the bar.
Tatts Group recorded a $277.44 million profit for the last financial year.
