When Melbourne’s Rising Sun Hotel installed a touch screen betting machine in their pub, the last thing they expected was a raid from the police. After less than six months of use, the prototype gaming machine was taken by regulators from the Gambling Regulation Commission and put through a series of rigorous tests to ensure its legitimacy.

Touch screen kiosks are a frequent sight in airports and ticketing offices, but until now haven’t appeared in pubs and entertainment venues. Melbourne’s betting offices have been experimenting with the kiosks for the last year, using prototype machines in preparation for a full-scale launch across the city.

The gaming systems are designed to provide access to a universal betting account, giving gamers access to their bets no matter which venue they happen to be at. Melbourne company Tabcorp, the current owner of the city’s betting contract, is believed to be concerned about the technology’s disruption to their business.

While the kiosk was eventually returned to the Rising Sun Hotel, its owners and manufacturers believe they were treated poorly throughout the affair. Lost revenues are estimated at approximately $4 million Australian dollars, a figure which could prompt a lawsuit against Melbourne’s city government.