ALH Group is a market leader, operating 330 licensed venues and 569 retail liquor outlets across Australia. We offer a diverse array of hospitality experiences, including sports bars, bistros, restaurants, cafes, retail liquor, accommodation, nightclubs, electronic gaming and wagering. Our material business issues are the responsible service of two of our core offerings – gambling and alcohol.
PEOPLE
RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING
At ALH Group, we aim to be a responsible provider of electronic gambling services. Our focus areas are setting limits, staff education and training and partnerships.
Our Hotel and Gaming Charter clearly demonstrates our commitment to responsible gambling and we have developed and implemented several related initiatives.
Voluntary pre-commitment
This system is a cornerstone for our responsible gambling strategy. It allows gamblers to nominate a limit before they start using our machines.
At year end, pre-commitment functionality was installed on all machines in 281 of 286 of ALH hotels that offer electronic gaming machines. This functionality cannot be enabled at our five Tasmanian hotels due to Federal Hotel ownership of machines.
Responsible Gambling Ambassador
For seven years, we have worked with David Schwarz, a well-known former professional AFL footballer and reformed problem gambler. David is our Responsible Gambling Ambassador.
He provides employee education and customer awareness about the importance of asking for help if gambling becomes a problem. He is also available to discuss any gambling problems our staff or their families and friends may have.
Self-Exclusion Program
Our Self-Exclusion Program helps people who have decided to limit their access to gaming machines to implement that decision. We offer it to individuals who wish to voluntarily exclude themselves from one or more gaming venues. Under the program, that person agrees to certain obligations and forgoes some access rights.
EMPLOYEES
Responsible gambling training
We have devised a mandatory online responsible gambling training module for all relevant staff. The module focuses on how to approach and interact with customers who may be showing signs of problem gambling and explains how our Self-Exclusion Program operates.
Responsible Service of Alcohol
ALH Group believes that individuals have the right to choose to consume alcohol in licensed venues as a social activity. Our responsibilities are to deliver best practice alcohol service and to set a positive example to customers and other licensees.
We do not promote any practice that may encourage the rapid or excessive consumption of alcohol, and we require our employees to encourage and promote the responsible consumption of alcohol.
To prevent under age drinking in our venues, we require young adults to present a valid proof of age.
COMMUNITY
We are proud of our community involvement and that our hotels are often a community hub. ALH Group works closely with many charitable organisations and financially supports a diverse range of causes, from seriously ill children and the families of Armed Services personnel to responsible gambling support services.
During 2015/16, we contributed $2.12 million to worthwhile organisations, including Very Special Kids, the Leukaemia Foundation, Bravehearts and The Salvation Army.
