Hawthorn Football Club has been ordered to donate $66,000 to charity as punishment for one of its pokies venues operating without a licence.
In return for the donation, a Melbourne magistrate has spared the prestigious club a criminal conviction.
Hawthorn was charged with four counts of unauthorised gambling by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation relating to four days in 2016 during which Vegas at Waverley Gardens was not licensed.
During that time, the venue in Melbourne's southeast earned $66,838 from gambling, a profit that was deemed illegal under the Gambling Regulation Act.
A lawyer representing Hawthorn on Thursday told Melbourne Magistrates' Court the club would donate the money to the Salvation Army or another organisation that deals with responsible gambling.
- AAP
HAWTHORN STATEMENT:
Hawthorn Football Club has accepted a diversion order relating to a licensing infringement at Vegas, Waverley Gardens between 28 and 31 March 2016.
The licensing issue was the result of an internal administration error.
As soon as the club became aware of the error, the venue was closed and did not reopen until the licensing issue was resolved the following day.
The club has fully cooperated with the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation and will forfeit all gaming profits earned during the period in question.
The forfeited profits will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Hawthorn now considers the matter resolved and will make no further comment.