Our strategy: Transforming gambling regulation in Victoria

A 2021 Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence exposed reprehensible conduct by the casino operator and drew out shocking stories of the personal ruin and devastation it wreaked.

To restore confidence in the sector, Victoria needed a regulator who could hold the casino and the broader gambling industry to account.

That’s why we were created. 

We have stronger powers and a dedicated focus on ensuring the gambling industry has integrity, and is safe and fair for all.

And we won’t shy away from using those powers.  From the casino to community raffles, we are putting gambling operators on notice that we are watching, and that we will pursue those who fail to meet our expectations.

We are cracking down on operators who break the law, act dishonestly and don’t protect people from the devastating harm that gambling can cause. Not just to individuals, but to their families, friends and the whole community.

In fact, minimising harm is at the heart of all we do.

So what does this mean for industry?  

It is not enough for a licensee to meet the bare minimum of understanding and complying with their gaming licence and legal obligations. That legal licence also confers a social licence, and we expect much more, as does the Victorian community.

We expect industry participants to:

• act with integrity and be honest, trustworthy and transparent
• be accountable and cooperative
• understand their regulatory obligations
• comply with and uphold the spirit, and not just the letter, of the law
• actively prevent and operate free from criminal influence or exploitation
• minimise the harmful impacts of gambling by actively protecting the community.

VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt said the strategy is ambitious and driven by making a difference for the community.

“We want to be a regulator renowned for our regulatory excellence.

“This includes holding industry to account to both their legal and social licences, continuously improving gambling regulation and using technology, data and intelligence to drive innovation, efficiency and effectiveness in our regulatory approach.

“We’re sending a really clear message to industry that we will work them and we will help operators who do the right thing. But we will have zero tolerance for those who deliberately breach their obligations and mislead us.”

Read Our strategy (PDF, 579.99 KB).