The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) reinforced its role as a rigorous gambling regulator, taking 88 disciplinary actions in the 2023-24 financial year. The VGCCC’s Annual Report, tabled in Parliament, highlights a zero-tolerance approach to breaches and a commitment to ensuring operators comply with both the letter and spirit of the law.
Major Actions Against Operators
Key actions included:
- Tabcorp faced a $1 million fine for non-compliance during a system outage investigation.
- Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH) incurred a $480,000 fine for operating poker machines beyond allowed hours.
- Myndit Pty Ltd, the former operator of the Rye Hotel, was fined $80,000 for financial record-keeping breaches.
Additionally, Bluebet Pty Ltd was fined $50,000 after being found guilty of 43 charges related to illegal advertising on public roads, stemming from a public complaint.
Expanded Inspections and Prosecutions
In the last year, the VGCCC conducted more than 1,600 audits and over 2,700 venue inspections, with 10 successful prosecutions. This included a regional compliance blitz aimed at addressing local issues and safeguarding minors.
Chair Fran Thorn emphasized the VGCCC’s strong stance on deliberate breaches, stating: “We have no tolerance for opportunistic contraventions of the law and will act decisively on detected violations.”
Enhancing Community Protection
Responding to community concerns, the VGCCC engaged with sports controlling bodies to ban betting on under-19 competitions and individual performances of players under 18. Furthermore, tighter controls for AFL Brownlow Medal betting were implemented following allegations of leaked votes.
A new public tip-off function yielded over 260 reports in its first year, enabling greater community involvement in monitoring inappropriate gambling practices.
Crown Melbourne License Approval
After two years of strict supervision by a Special Manager, the VGCCC deemed Crown Melbourne fit to hold its casino license in March 2024. This decision followed significant reforms, including improved governance and harm minimization measures under a three-year Transformation Plan. However, Crown remains under stringent operating conditions to ensure continued compliance.
The VGCCC’s data-driven and intelligence-led approach has positioned it as a robust regulator for Victoria’s gambling industry. With a renewed focus on community protection and integrity, the commission promises to maintain strict oversight of operators while fostering public confidence in its regulatory framework.
Sources:
Victoria’s Gambling Industry Held to Account, VGCCC, November 28, 2024..