Functions of inspectors
Our inspectors ensure compliance with:
- Victorian gambling legislation, and
- associated regulations.
This is done by:
- conducting audits and inspections of gaming venues
- detecting and investigating possible breaches of legislation
- monitoring the operations of gaming venues
- investigating complaints
- giving gaming venues compliance information
- reporting to the Commission for consideration of prosecution
- examining:
- equipment
- machinery, and/or
- records relating to gambling activity.
Power of inspectors
Under section 10.5.9 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act), an inspector may do any of the following:
- require any person in possession of, or having control of, any:
- machinery
- equipment, or
- records regarding an activity regulated by a gaming Act, to produce them for inspection and answer questions
- inspect, take copies of, or seize any:
- equipment
- machinery, and/or
- records, if the Inspector considers it necessary for evidence
- require a person, by written notice, to attend before the Inspector at a specified date and time to answer questions
- require a person found on the premises to state their full name and residential address
- call for police assistance if they are, or believe they'll be, obstructed while performing their duties.
Further information can be found under section 10.5.9 of the Act.
Identification of inspectors
Our inspectors are issued with an identity card that includes:
- their photograph
- their signature, and
- the Seal of Victoria.
Inspectors don't have to display their identity card but must produce it if requested. Failure to do so means they're not authorised to carry out their duties under the Act.
*Note: A member of the police force may also perform the duties of an inspector under the Act.
Offences for obstruction of inspectors
It is an offence to:
- assault
- obstruct
- hinder
- threaten
- abuse
- insult, or
- intimidate
an inspector trying to perform their duties under the Act.
It is also an offence to:
- not (without reasonable excuse) answer questions or give information to an inspector when required to do so
- not comply with an Inspector's direction to stop using any machinery or equipment considered by them to be unsatisfactory.
For further information view section 10.5.15 of the Act.
Providing false or misleading information
A person must not knowingly provide false or misleading information to an Inspector while the Inspector is performing their duties.
This is an offence under section 10.5.16 of the Act and could result in a fine of 60 penalty units. For more information, refer to Gambling and gambling related offences.
Additional considerations
For more information about offences and inspector powers, refer to Part 5: Compliance and Enforcement of the Act.
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