Gaming venue operator frequently asked questions (FAQs)

As stated in the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (the Act), only a person who is a body corporate may apply to the VGCCC for a club venue operator's licence or a hotel venue operator's licence.

A club venue operator's licence is required if you intend to operate gaming machines at the licensed club.

Your application must include a copy of a club liquor licence or a racing club licence (if you hold one of these), or you must provide relevant documents to demonstrate that the club is a genuine club established for community purposes.

You must hold a club venue operator's licence in order to be eligible to use club gaming-machine entitlements.

A hotel venue operator's licence is required if the entity is not a club. In order to be eligible for hotel gaming-machine entitlements, you must hold either a club venue or hotel venue operator's licence.

Both applicants of a club and hotel venue operator licence will need to refer to the application form for what's required to complete the application.

A company or club that wants to apply for a new venue operator's licence (or renew a current licence), needs to complete the Venue Operator Licence - Company or Incorporated Association.

These forms are completed online, and then printed and signed. The forms are designed to guide you through the application process including required documents that need to be attached.

Applicants must ensure that the application form is completed as incorrect or incomplete applications (including attachments) will not be accepted, and will be returned to the applicant.

It is a condition of all venue operator licences that the venue operator implements a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct  which must detail how you will foster responsible gambling at their venue. The Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct must comply with the Ministerial Direction issued in relation to the standards and requirements that a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct implemented by a relevant person must meet. For more information, see the Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct page.

It's a condition of all venue operator licences that the venue operator conduct a Self-Exclusion Program that allows a person to voluntarily exclude themselves from the venue operators venue. 

The  Self-Exclusion Program must comply with the Ministerial Direction issued in relation to the standards and requirements that must be met by a Self-Exclusion Program conduced by or at the request of a venue operator. Further information is available, see Self-Exclusion Program page.

Gaming venues cannot provide, or allow someone to provide, access to automatic teller machines (ATMs) in approved venues unless the ATM is approved by the VGCCC.
The ban applies to any cash access device that does not require the customer to interact with venue staff; before any decision to withdraw cash is made by the customer.
 

The promotion or operation of cheque cashing services by any person in gaming venues or on gaming venue property, including the cashing of cheques by venue operators or a third party, is prohibited.

Gaming venue property may include nearby land owned or leased by the venue operator including the venue’s car park area.  

Each application is different. To ensure that your application is processed efficiently, check that you have completed all sections of the application form and attached the relevant documents.

You will be sent a letter that confirms we have received your application and outlines any further information required. Once we have received all the required information and documents, your application will be determined. You will be advised of the outcome in writing.

If you need advice on completing an application, contact us.

No. If you already hold a venue operator's licence and you are acquiring another approved gaming venue, you may apply to have the approved venue added to your existing licence.

The Act requires venue operators to nominate, in respect of each approved venue, a nominee. The nominee must be approved by the VGCCC and be responsible for the on behalf of the venue operator.

This ensures one person is accountable for the management and control of the gaming venue, with the person nominated and approved to be liable under the Act as a gaming venue operator.

Use the online application system to assist with your nominee application form.

The nominee is legally responsible for compliance with gaming regulation on behalf of the venue operator, and must have an understanding of the role requirements. They also must have the capacity to influence the business direction of the venue operator. For more information on nominees visit the Venue Manual. 

If an existing nominee resigns, is dismissed or ceases to manage or control the business, the venue operator must nominate another individual to be approved as a nominee within 60 days.

Under the Act, an associate of a venue operator includes:

• A person who holds or will hold any relevant financial interest, or
• is or will be entitled to exercise any relevant power (whether together with, or on behalf of any other person) in the gambling business, and
• by virtue of that interest or power, is able or will be able to exercise a significant influence over or with respect to the management or operation of that business
• a person who is or will be an executive officer (whether together with, or on behalf of any other person) in the gambling business.

• each director, public officer, chief executive, chief financial officer, committee or board member of the applicant or associated entity
• shareholders who own 10 per cent or more of shares of the applicant or associated entity with voting rights or income entitlements
• all committee members, or members of the board of management, of a club
• partners with a partnership interest of 10 per cent or greater in income or voting entitlements of the applicant or associated entity
• where the applicant or associated entity is a trust, the trustee of the trust. In the case of a corporate trustee, all directors of that trustee company
• trust unit holders or beneficiaries who, by virtue of the Trust Deed, have voting rights enabling them to remove or change the trustee, or to influence decisions of the trustee
• beneficiaries of discretionary trusts who have received 10 per cent or greater of the trust's income distribution in the last three years
• any person who could exercise a significant influence over or with respect to the management or operation of the gaming machine business
• any individual nominated to be an associate by the VGCCC.

Yes. The approval as an associate is granted in respect of the venue operator's licence and for the duration of that licence. You will need to reapply when the venue operator renews their licence.

Your application will need to be accompanied by the necessary documentation. You won't be able to rely on documents provided in respect of the previous application, unless they're no older than three months at the lodgement date.

To apply, you will need to complete the online application form for Associated entity or Associated individual.

If an applicant or associate has previously committed an offence, it will not automatically mean that they will not be approved. However, there are certain requirements as stated in the Act, that the VGCCC must take into account when processing an application. This includes the nature of the offence and penalty, the time elapsed since the offence was committed and the number of offences committed.

It is important to remember that applicants must disclose all offences in the application.

The only information that may be released without your consent is the particulars of disciplinary action taken against you by the VGCCC, if you have applied for or hold a current registration.

Unless you have provided written authorisation no other information will be released about you, or your application, to any other person other than those permitted under the Act.

If you have a club liquor licence visit Liquor Control Victoria's website for further information on this requirement.