The Duke of Edinburgh, owned by Bruce Mathieson’s daughter and her husband, has been penalised for a lapse in security that allowed a disabled teenager to sneak in and use a gaming machine.
The popular pub in inner Melbourne is held by parent companies owned by Gianni Grollo, married to Jodi Grollo, who is an ‘approved associate’ on the licence and child of the rich-lister pub baron. Sometimes known as “Karen from Brighton” she gained notoriety during the pandemic for criticising mandated restrictions regarding outdoor exercise, quoted boasting that she’s “done all of Brighton”.
According to evidence presented in Court, the young man was reported to have gambled and lost over $17K, which he stole from his mother, at a series of venues and via online sports betting. The resulting backlash saw Tabcorp and 13 pubs disciplined over charges relating to underage gambling.
Around midnight one evening in 2024, the young man is said to have “walked into the gaming area, placed a bet and walked out” of the Duke, in Brunswick.
Typically, there would be a manager overseeing the gaming area, but as bad luck and timing would have it, the manager was assisting with clearing up after a function.
Facing Melbourne Magistrates Court last week, the Grollos were not personally accused of any wrongdoing.
Counsel for the Victorian Gaming and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) mitigated the charge, offering that the subject teenager had lost far more money at other venues and that the Duke was effectively ‘less to blame’ for the incidents, suggesting that while “any contravention is serious … this is on the lower end”.
In the hope of foiling his entry to licensed premises, the teen’s mother had previously visited establishments, supplying a photo and explaining that her son was of small build and looked younger than other people his age. He had reportedly attempted facial hair before visiting the Duke.
Defending the charge, defence of the company relayed that the incident had prompted crisis talks with the security contractor, and that the guard working that night no longer worked at the venue.
The company’s barrister declared that it had happened “at exactly the wrong time” and at a time when ordinarily it’s expected a young person “would not be out and about”.
The defence pleaded guilty to a single charge of allowing a minor to gamble.
Magistrate Brett Sonnet did not apply a conviction but did fine the company $2500, and ordered costs paid, amounting to nearly another $5K.
