Brighton Grammar students caught placing bets in TAB

UNDERAGE Brighton Grammar students have been caught placing illegal bets at a TAB in Brighton after school hours, it has been revealed.

UNDERAGE Brighton Grammar students have been caught placing illegal bets at a TAB in Brighton.

The students have been betting at the TAB on Church St after school hours for more than a year, an anonymous source has revealed to the Herald Sun.

“I contacted the school last year, but it’s obvious nothing has been done because it’s still continuing,” the source said.

“In the morning I see them walk to school dressed in full school uniform then I see the same kids walk past in the afternoon either dressed pretending to be tradies or half in uniform ... either their sports shorts or school shirt.

“They are visibly underage and it looks terrible.”

Know more? Contact our reporter by email: [e-mail]

The source, who is a trader on the street, has witnessed on many occasions students lurking around outside the TAB or the alleyway next door.

“They usually come in groups of two or three ... the ones who look older run in quickly, place a bet on the gambling machines and then run out quickly before anyone either notices or has time to ask for ID.”

They also revealed the there was at least 12 students attending gambling help counselling.

Brighton TAB agent Les Redford said he was aware there was a huge issue late this year with underage students.

“The layout of the Church St TAB meant betting machines were positioned right at the front of the store so the kids would be able to sneak in without being seen,” Mr Redford said.

“But once the store was made aware we were able to move the machines to a more visible location.”

Mr Redford took over the Brighton TAB late October but said the issue was ongoing.

“The minors are using fake IDs and that’s how they’re getting away with it,” he said.

“It’s a big problem with minors, we are terrified but we’re doing everything in our power to crack down on it.”

Brighton Grammar principal Ross Featherston said he was aware “some students could be expected to be involved in such activity”.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, Mr Featherston said it was a societal issue and his school’s community was not immune.

“If we knew of specific boys doing this we would work with the boy and their families to deal with the issue in an appropriate manner that has the boys wellbeing first and foremost,” he said.

Last year 400 parents from Brighton Grammar attended a lecture regarding addictive behaviours, such as gambling.

“Of course if we are aware of individual students engaging in activities that they shouldn’t, we will work with the boy and his parents in dealing with the relevant issue,” Mr Featherston said.

A parent, who wished to stay anonymous, revealed the issue had been going on for “many” years.

“I believe the school has known about the issue for years and as far as I know this is the first email which has been sent to parents regarding the problem,” the parent said.

A letter was sent to Brighton Grammar parents this week.

It reads:

Dear Parents,

I write to advise you in advance that there may be an article about a small number of unidentified BGS boys in tomorrow’s Herald Sun newspaper.

On receipt of a ‘tip-off’, the Herald Sun is planning to run a story about BGS boys (in uniform) placing bets at the Church Street, Brighton TAB.

I have answered questions from the relevant journalist on this issue in a full and forthright manner, explaining our proactive position on educating boys about the risks around gambling (which includes engaging parents on such issues).

Should you have any questions on this issue now, or after the story is published, please contact me at this email address.

Regards

Ross

Ross Featherston

Headmaster

Brighton Grammar

[e-mail]

@cassiezervos