Victorian Government to Establish New Gaming Regulator

The Victorian government has announced its plans to establish a new gambling regulator.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), which will take over the regulation of gaming from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), will have oversight of all gambling activities statewide, including a dedicated casino regulation division focused solely on Melbourne’s casino.

The government said that the separation of liquor and gaming will allow the VGCCC to “focus solely on regulating casino and gambling operators and minimizing harm.”

As per reports, the new regulator will have greater oversight in monitoring gambling harm minimisation measures in the casino and gambling sectors.

In particular, the casino division will house specialist leadership and staff as well as access to shared resources, and gambling and licensing expertise from the broader regulator.

“We said we’d take action to strengthen casino oversight and that’s what we’re doing with the establishment of a new gambling and casino regulator,” said Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne.

“Unethical practices in the gambling industry won’t be tolerated – the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission will provide robust regulation of the Melbourne casino and wider gambling activity across the state.”

In a statement of its own shortly after details of the regulatory overhaul were released, the VCGLR said it remains “committed to continuing to support both the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and License … as well as any processes required during any transition period to contribute to the successful establishment of the VGCCC.

“We will continue to deliver high-quality regulation of the gaming and liquor industries without disruption to regulatory activity as the new regulator is established.”