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The Federal Court today decided on the case of Shonica Guy, a former gambling addict, who brought a claim of misleading and deceptive conduct against Crown Melbourne and Aristocrat Technologies Australia regarding Aristocrat's 'Dolphin Treasure' pokie machines.
Justice Debbie Mortimer dismissed Guy's claims of unconscionable dealings against Aristocrat Technologies, who manufacture the Dolphin Treasure machines, and Crown Melbourne, which has the machines within its casino.
Maurice Blackburn represented Guy, arguing on her behalf the design of the machines was misleading and deceptive, and used tricks to encourage her addiction.
Aristocrat Leisure entered a trading halt this morning, pending the Federal Court's decision.
Guy had played poker machines for more than 14 years and says she suffered significant losses ever since she started playing at the age of 17.
Guy did not seek any monetary compensation through the case, only declarations that the Dolphin Treasure machine and the way in which it is made available for play at Crown's casino breached the Australian Consumer Law.
She also sought injunctions to prevent both Aristocrat and Crown from using similar deceptively designed machines in the future.
It is the first claim to have focused on the deceptive design of pokie machines and according to Maurice Blackburn Principal Jacob Varghese the first to call into question the behaviour of manufacturers in the industry.
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