Poker machine and other activities

Acquisition, installation, storage, sale and disposal of poker machines

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The following are rules relating to the:

  • acquisition
  • installation
  • storage
  • possession, and
  • sale and disposal

of poker machines (also known as gaming machines) under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act).

Acquisition of gaming machines

In Victoria, venue operators are allowed to buy and sell poker machines.

A venue operator must hold a poker machine entitlement for each operational poker machine in its venues.

For more information, view:

Authorisation to possess equipment

A person must not:

  • manufacture
  • sell
  • supply
  • obtain, or
  • be in possession of gaming or monitoring equipment,

except in accordance with the Act(opens in a new window).

With our written approval, sections of the Act(opens in a new window) allow industry participants to possess gaming equipment. This includes:

  • manufacturers
  • testers
  • suppliers, and
  • venue operators.

Industry participants can apply to possess gaming or monitoring equipment for the purpose of:

  • testing, research or development
  • servicing, repair or maintenance
  • storage, demonstration or sales.

In certain circumstances, the public can also be approved to possess gaming equipment.

A person can seek our approval to possess a poker machine, but the machine must not be in working order.

As part of their licence and under the Act, (opens in a new window)venue operators must:

  • possess
  • sell
  • obtain, and
  • be in possession of gaming or monitoring equipment.

If the equipment is for use outside Victoria, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) can grant approval for a person to:

  • manufacture
  • sell
  • supply
  • obtain, or
  • be in possession of gaming or monitoring equipment.
    (E.g., gaming equipment aboard a cruise ship that transits through Victorian waters).

To apply for our approval, complete the application for authority to possess gaming machines. For a copy of this form please email [email protected](opens in a new window).

For more information, view section 3.5.15(1A)(a) and (b) and sections 3.2.2 and 3.1.5(4) of the Act(opens in a new window).

Certificates of installation

Certification by Gaming Industry Employee (GIE) and Entitlement Holder

A licensed technician who installs gaming equipment must:

  • certify the equipment's functioning in the way it is designed to.

A venue operator who has gaming equipment installed must:

  • certify the equipment functions in the way it is designed to
  • keep the certificate for a period of 12 months.

A venue operator must not:

When a poker machine is installed:

  • the venue operator, and
  • the technician

must complete an approved certificate of installation. This confirms it's been installed according to regulations.

The monitoring licensee must make sure gaming doesn't commence on equipment that is:

  • connected to a monitoring system, and
  • operated by the licensee

where certificates have not been signed.

For more information, please see:

Configuration changes and renumbering

A venue operator must submit a request for:

  • configuration changes to poker machine hardware and software
  • renumbering poker machines in a gaming machine area (GMA).

Requests must be submitted to the monitoring licensee, Intralot Gaming Services (IGS)(opens in a new window).

Gaming machines connected to IGS

A person must not be allowed to use a poker machine that:

Heavy penalties apply for non-compliance.

For more information, view:

Installation of gaming machines

A venue operator must:

  • install a machine in a poker machine area approved by the VGCCC
  • store and secure a poker machine in a way the VGCCC have approved of.

For more information, view:

Notice of gaming machine installation

Although venue operators are required to tell the VGCCC about gaming or monitoring equipment installed in their venue (under sections 3.5.15(2) and (3) of the Act(opens in a new window)), this is actually handled by IGS.

After the licensee completes the certificate of installation, they need to be forwarded to IGS. Examples of licensees are:

  • the GIE
  • the entitlement holder
  • the venue operator, or
  • their authorised representative.

    IGS advises the VGCCC of outcomes through its reporting processes. They do so on the venue operator’s behalf.

Sale or disposal of gaming machines

A venue operator is allowed to sell or dispose of a poker machine or gaming equipment. This is allowed while holding a poker machine entitlement, or under section 3.2.2(2B) of the Act(opens in a new window).

The VGCCC can authorise (in writing) a venue operator to:

  • be in possession of
  • sell, or
  • dispose of

gaming equipment after a specific event.

For more information, view section 3.4.1(ac) of the Act(opens in a new window).

Special permissions

The VGCCC can give certain people or groups (written) permission to keep gaming or monitoring equipment for:

  • testing, research, or development
  • servicing, repair, or maintenance
  • storage of gaming equipment and restricted components, and
  • having a poker machine that doesn't work.

To apply for our approval, complete the application for authority to possess gaming machines. For a copy of this form please email [email protected](opens in a new window).

Gaming machine storage not in a GMA

Any poker machines not installed in a gaming machine area (GMA) must be stored in:

  • a location, and
  • a manner

that the VGCCC have approved for the purpose.

To apply for our approval, complete the application for authority to possess gaming machines. For a copy of this form please email [email protected](opens in a new window).

For more information, view section 3.5.15(1A)(a) and (b) and section 3.2.2 of the Act(opens in a new window).

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