Our independent Commissioners make decisions on gambling matters, from approving new gaming venues or more gaming machines, to disciplinary actions and reviews.
Download the Commission Charter (PDF, 315.58 KB) for more information on the Commission's role and responsibilities.
Fran Thorn is a former senior public servant with the Victorian Government and a former Partner of Deloitte Consulting Australia. She has worked extensively as a consultant to governments around Australia (Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and West Australia), as well as in Hong Kong and New Zealand, in areas of social service delivery (education, health and human services) and central policy making in state governments.
Fran’s 27-year career with the Victorian public sector included three roles as Secretary (Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development, Department of Human Services and Department of Health), and four years as Deputy Secretary, Policy in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, where she was responsible for policy and governance.
Dr Ron Ben-David is currently a Professorial Fellow with the Monash Business School. Between 2008 and 2019, he served as full-time chair of Victoria’s economic regulator, the Essential Services Commission. This followed his time heading the national secretariat for the Garnaut Climate Change Review, and a decade in senior roles in the Victorian Departments of Premier and Cabinet, and Treasury and Finance.
Ron is on the boards of ClimateWorks Australia, the Consumer Policy Research Centre and the Regulatory Policy Institute. He is also a member of various advisory boards and panels. Ron is the Principal of Solrose Consulting. He was appointed Commissioner and Deputy Chair of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission in July 2022.
Ron holds a B.Sc (Optometry), B.Comm (Hons), Ph.D (Economics) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Andrew has practised as a lawyer in the private sector for over forty years as a business law specialist and a sports law expert. He is a past president of the Law Institute of Victoria and, in the public sector, has served as a board member of the Victorian Legal Services Board and Chair of the Liquor Licensing Panel. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and his directorships have included Netball Australia, Swimming Victoria and YMCA Victoria, where he chaired various sub-committees including YMCA’s Risk Sub-Committee. Andrew also serves as a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal of Chartered Accountants Australia.
Claire has more than 25 years experience as a commercial lawyer and has extensive leadership and operational experience from a range of industries including infrastructure, property, mining, energy and utilities. She is an experienced corporate governance professional with legal, compliance, risk and regulatory experience.
Claire’s directorships include Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority, Central Gippsland Health Service, Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency Audit and Risk Committee and State Council member of Governance Institute of Australia.
Claire holds a LLB/BA and Graduate Diploma of Applied Corporate Governance
Chris O’Neill, APM was appointed in October 2022 as a Commissioner at the Victorian Gambling & Casino Control Commission.
Chris was formerly an Assistant Commissioner with Victoria Police where he was a member of the Victoria Police Command and held a diverse range of corporate, strategic and operational roles during his 45 years’ service until September 2022. He has extensive experience on various national and state government committees.
Chris has a passion and reputation for his strong governance, regulatory, people, safety and culture leadership and serving the community including successfully implementing a broad range of modernisation programs.
His qualifications include a Master of Business Leadership and a Graduate Diploma of Business from RMIT. He is a Williamson Community Leadership Program Graduate with Leadership Victoria and has completed the Australian Institute of Company Directors Program. In 2010, Chris was awarded an Australian Police Medal (APM) in the Australia Day Honors Awards in recognition of his distinguished service to policing and the community.