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The Commission is conducting an inquiry to understand and improve the bingo sector in Victoria.
The Strategic Inquires Unit (SIU) supports the Commission to conduct inquiries that will focus on enhancing understanding of risks and emerging issues within the gambling industry and look for ways to improve practice and regulatory oversight.
The first inquiry will focus on the bingo sector, exploring “Keeping bingo social, safe and fair”.
We will engage with the bingo industry, community organisations and citizens, aiming to improve regulatory oversight of a sector that has not been examined in-depth for some time.
The inquiry is concentrating on the parts of the bingo sector that operate in commercial settings and support charitable fundraising. Bingo is regulated under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (Vic) to make sure that:
community organisations benefit from profits made
practices that could undermine public trust and confidence are eliminated
bingo centre operators act fairly in providing commercial fundraising services.
The inquiry will focus on:
understanding the customer experience of playing bingo to fundraise and in commercial settings
the role of bingo in fundraising, including the role of charities and not for profit entities
the practices of entities and individuals who are part of the bingo industry
how regulatory and industry practice can be improved.
Bingo is played and enjoyed by people of all ages in many parts of our community. It can provide social connection and help improve memory and concentration. It is also an important means for community and charitable fundraising.
In recent years, the bingo landscape has changed considerably, transitioning from paper-based to electronic gameplay, often featuring large jackpots.
The VGCCC has received reports of unlicensed operators and the risk of fraudulent activities. We are also aware of questions over community benefit – whether community and charitable organisations are getting their fair share and whether benefits are being passed on to the Victorian community.
This has sparked queries about fairness, integrity, and the potential for gambling harm. This is of particular concern because of the potential vulnerability of many bingo customers such as seniors, women, people on low incomes and certain First Nations and migrant communities.
We are committed to preserving the integrity of bingo operations and ensuring they remain social, safe and fair for all Victorians.
The VGCCC will engage with industry and the community through:
a discussion paper and invitation to respond
visiting venues and surveying operators
surveying customers and community organisations
meeting with a selection of interested parties.
More information about the discussion paper is available on the Engage Vic website.
If you are an individual and wish to provide feedback privately, please contact us by email at [email protected]
Bingo Centre Operators and Declared Charitable Community Organisations have received a letter from the Commission about the inquiry, its purpose and ways to participate.
