The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) is to be given enhanced compliance and enforcement powers under new legislation developed for approval by the Parliament.
Introduced by the Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, the proposed legislation implements recommendations from the Crown Royal Commission.
Ms Horne said the proposed laws would also see liquor regulation transferred to the Department of Justice and Community Safety to enable the VGCCC to exclusively focus on monitoring gambling and the casino.
“The legislation will see casino inspectors be given greater access to surveillance equipment and casino records and require casino employees to assist inspectors to access and operate surveillance equipment to monitor all activity on the gaming floor,” Mr Horne said.
“The changes will also make gambling harm minimisation part of the VGCCC’s core business and increase its powers to take action against Crown Melbourne if it fails to abide by the gambling code of conduct,” she said.
“The new laws will mean a single breach of the code is grounds for disciplinary action.”
Ms Horne said that previously, the VGCCC could only initiate disciplinary action after repeated breaches of the gambling code.
The Minister said the new liquor regulator would comprise of statutory commissioners supported by the Department to regulate the liquor sector and undertake licensing, compliance and enforcement activity.
“This important legislation will enhance compliance and enforcement powers and ensure reducing gambling harm is a key priority of the regulator,” she said.
