The regulation of gambling in Victoria is to be overhauled through the establishment of a new casino and gambling regulator, with a dedicated casino division focused solely on holding Melbourne’s casino operator to account.
Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne said the new regulator, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), would oversee all gambling and gaming activities within the State, from pokies through to the casino.
“The new regulator will have greater oversight in monitoring gambling harm minimisation measures in the casino and gambling sectors than the existing regulator,” Ms Horne said
“Unlike the existing regulator – the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) – the new overarching body will not regulate liquor licensing, ensuring its focus is solely on regulating our casino and gambling operators and minimising harm,” she said.
“A dedicated casino regulation division will sit within the new gambling regulator and focus solely on the casino operator.”
Ms Horne said the dedicated division would have specialist leadership and staff, as well as access to shared resources and gambling and licensing expertise from the broader regulator.
The Minister said the VGCCC’s structure and governance was guided by the independent review into casino regulation, led by former Commissioner with the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission, Deborah Cope.
She said Ms Cope’s review occurred in parallel with the Crown Casino Royal Commission and made recommendations to Government regarding the appropriate regulatory requirements.
