Attorneys for Australian slot manufacturer Aristocrat Leisure Limited argued last week in defense of the integrity of the slot game Dolphin Treasure, in a potential landmark lawsuit case in Australia Federal Court.
Former gambling addict Shonica Guy sued Aristocrat and James Packer’s Crown Casino, alleging that the distribution of symbols on Dolphin Treasure are uneven, leading to “near misses” that entice gamblers to keep playing; and that the information on theoretical return to player is misleading. The allegations challenge long-accepted technology and practices of regulated slot machines, and miss the mark on some basic facts, such as the relevance of symbols on the screen in the virtual reel system; and the well-publicized fact that a machine’s theoretical payback percentage is calculated over the life of the machine.
Peter Jopling, attorney for Aristocrat, argued before the court that Aristocrat’s machines, like every other machine in Australia, are subject to strict controls and multiple consumer-protection and harm-minimization laws.
“How could it be said that we were acting in an unconscionable way when all these things have been considered… and taken into account by the government, (which) produced legislation that we’ve complied by?” Jopling argued.
