The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act) has rules about giving credit and setting up cash facilities in approved venues.
The cashing of cheques and the advertising of cheque cashing services is prohibited at approved venues in Victoria. The payment in cash to a patron, of any amount collected from a gaming machine totalling $2,000 or more, is also prohibited. These are critical measures that also aid in the prevention, detection and management of anti-money laundering risks.
Book Pay
When patrons collect credits from a gaming machine (e.g. following their game play or a large win or jackpot) they can get paid in a few different ways, depending on the capabilities of the gaming machine and the amount being collected. They could receive:
- a ticket printed by the gaming machine that you can redeem for cash
- coins issued by the hopper of the gaming machine if applicable, or
- a Book Pay voucher completed by a venue staff member.
A Book Pay is a special payment process. Venues need to create Book Pay vouchers for Book Pay transactions. A Book Pay voucher comprises two copies:
- one for the venue
- one for the patron.
Venues can use our Book Pay voucher template or create their own with the same details.
Cash facilities
In an approved venue that's not on a racecourse, the venue operator is only allowed to offer the following types of cash facilities:
- an automatic teller machine (ATM) that has been approved for use by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), or
- a compliant EFTPOS facility.
Approved ATMs and compliant EFTPOS facilities must not allow patrons to:
- get more than $200 cash per debit or credit card transaction
- get a cash advance from a credit account
- get more than $500 on any one card within 24 hours.
The 24-hour period starts from the first withdrawal. During this time, the total cash withdrawn cannot exceed $500 from one card.
It's against the law for the venue operator to let patrons get cash from an EFTPOS facility unless it's operated by someone employed by them. This includes entering the amount to be withdrawn, which enables the venue to monitor the frequency and amount of cash being withdrawn by patrons. Venue staff should interact with any patrons observed to be displaying signs of gambling harm or distress, as required under their Responsible Service of Gaming training and their venue's Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct.
For more information, view section 3.5.33C of the Act.
Placement of cash facilities
Under rule 5 of our Commission Rules:
an approved ATM or EFTPOS facility must not be provided in the gaming machine area (GMA), also known as a poker machine area, for the purpose of withdrawing cash.
If the approved venue is on a racecourse
The gaming machine area (GMA) in an approved racecourse venue is referred to as the applicable area. The applicable area also encompasses any area within 50 metres walking distance from any entrance to the GMA.
Within the applicable area, venue operators must not provide any cash facility, except for a compliant EFTPOS.
A compliant EFTPOS facility must not allow a person to obtain:
- more than $200 per transaction on any one debit or credit card
- more than $500 on any one debit or credit card within 24 hours
- a cash advance from a credit account.
The venue operator must also ensure the EFTPOS facility in the applicable area is managed by someone employed by them (including by entering the amount of the funds to be obtained).
Outside the applicable area, a venue operator must not provide or allow another person to provide, on the venue operator's behalf, a cash facility in the approved venue that does not comply.
Compliant cash facilities must not:
- allow more than $200 per transaction on any one debit or credit card
- permit a cash advance from a credit account.
Under rule 5 of our Commission Rules:
an approved ATM or EFTPOS facility must not be provided in the GMA for the purpose of withdrawing cash. This rule applies to all approved venues, including those on racecourses.
Cashing of cheques
An approved venue includes any land owned or leased by the venue operator. This includes the venue, and the car park primarily used by patrons.
It is prohibited to promote or provide cheque-cashing services in an approved venue or on the venue property. This includes venue operators or third parties.
It is illegal for a person, including a venue operator, to give cash or gambling tokens in exchange for a cheque at a gaming venue, or for a venue operator to allow another person to do so.
It is an offence for anyone, including a venue operator, to advertise, or allow advertising, of cheque-cashing services at a gaming venue.
These rules prevent cheque-cashing services from being offered in a gaming venue and help to ensure a safe and regulated environment.
For more information, view section 3.5.32 of the Act.
Credit at gaming venues
A licence (or entitlement) holder must not give a loan or credit to a patron for the purpose of using a gaming machine.
For more information, view section 3.5.31 of the Act.
Large wins and payouts
Any significant gaming machine win or jackpot greater than $10,000, must be recorded in a 'large win register' maintained by the venue operator.
This register must enable the identification and verification of the large win details, including information about the patron who received the payout.
Venues can use our large win payouts register template or create their own with the same details.
Payment of accumulated credits
When a patron asks, a venue operator must pay out accumulated credits from a gaming machine. This applies no matter what the amount is.
The payout method depends on the accumulated credits. Accumulated credits less than $2,000 can be paid out:
- in cash
- by cheque, not payable to cash
- by electronic funds transfer (EFT) if requested.
Accumulated credits over $2,000 can be paid out:
- by cheque, not payable to cash
- by EFT (if requested) with a 24-hour delay before funds are available.
*Note: Accumulated credits over $2,000 must not be paid out in cash under any circumstances.
For more information, view section 3.5.33 of the Act.
Minimum return to players (RTP) ratio
The minimum amount of money that gaming machines must RTP is:
- 85% for hotels and club venues.
*Note: The law defines a year as a calendar year when calculating RTP.
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