The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act) and the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Gaming Machine Rules outline the exact conditions of when gaming can be legally conducted in a gaming venue:
This information relates to the conditions and restrictions that apply to when gaming can be offered in a hotel and club.
Allowable Periods of Gaming in Venues
Venue operators may offer gaming to a person only:
- during the period or periods when a licence (granted under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998(opens in a new window)) authorises the consumption of liquor supplied on those premises
- in the case of premises licensed (under Part I of the Racing Act 1958(opens in a new window)) during a race meeting (not during any gaming break the venue operator takes to comply with a condition of premises approval or the venue operator's licence).
Venue operators can prohibit access and also are required to not permit a self-excluded person to access the gaming area. This is subject to:
- the Act
- any conditions on the venue operator's licence, and
- any rules made by the VGCCC that apply to the venue operator.
For more information, see rule 3 of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission Gaming Machine Rules.
Restriction on gaming periods
In October 2023, the then Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, introduced the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2023(opens in a new window) to Parliament.
This enforces mandatory closure periods for all gaming machine areas in venues (except the casino) between 4am and 10am every day.
The mandatory closures came into effect on 30 August 2024.
Out of hours gaming is prohibited
A person must not play a poker machine (also known as a gaming machine) in an approved venue at any time when that venue is closed to the public.
If a person is found guilty of playing a poker machine when the venue is closed to the public:
- all winnings (except linked jackpots) paid or payable to the person are forfeited to the state
- all linked jackpots paid or payable to the person are to be returned to the jackpot special prize pool.
For more information, view section 3.5.22 of the Act.
Public holiday requirements
Restrictions may apply on certain public holidays.
You must comply with trading restrictions(opens in a new window) that apply on Victorian public holidays, including Good Friday, Christmas Day and Anzac Day.
You must also consider conditions that apply to your liquor licence on Good Friday, Christmas Day and Anzac Day. These could impact your capacity to offer gaming on these days.
Gaming room hours of operation
To allow for adequate monitoring of a venues gaming room hours of operation, a venue operator must specify their gaming room’s hours of operation via IGS BOS portal (nominated gaming hours).
A venue operator has discretion in relation to setting and varying their venues nominated gaming hours, however they must ensure their nominated gaming hours meet all legislative requirements and any other conditions of operation.
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