The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) reported a tough stance on gambling misconduct in its 2023–24 Annual Report, which was presented to the Parliament of Victoria. The year saw the regulator take 88 disciplinary actions against gambling licensees and staff for failing to meet the required standards, showcasing the VGCCC’s commitment to holding operators accountable.

In addition to these actions, the VGCCC adopted a new, more strategic approach, shifting towards a risk-based, intelligence-driven regulatory model that ensures timely responses to emerging threats in the gambling landscape. This framework is intended to better identify and mitigate risks, fostering a safer and more compliant gambling environment.

Zero tolerance for non-compliance:

VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn stressed that the commission’s regulatory actions are directly aligned with the severity of the risks and harms associated with gambling violations. “Our regulatory response is proportionate to the risks posed and harms caused when a gambling operator fails to comply with its obligations,” she said in the regulator’s press release. “We have no tolerance for deliberate or opportunistic contraventions of the law and will not hesitate to take appropriate action when we detect a breach.”

Throughout the year, the VGCCC conducted over 1,600 audits and more than 2,700 venue inspections, including a focused regional blitz. These efforts culminated in 10 successful prosecutions. Among the licensees who faced scrutiny were major operators such as Tabcorp and the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH).

Tabcorp, for example, was fined AU$ 1 million due to its repeated failure to comply with instructions during an investigation into a major system outage. Meanwhile, ALH was penalized AU$ 480,000 for violating operating hours and failing to respect mandatory shutdown periods at eight venues.

In a significant move to enhance transparency, the VGCCC introduced a public tip-off function. This allows the public to anonymously report suspicious activities and potential breaches, which has already proven to be effective. In its first year, the commission received over 260 tip-offs covering a wide range of issues.

This enhanced public reporting led to the investigation and prosecution of Bluebet Pty Ltd, which faced 43 charges after illegal gambling advertisements were displayed on public roads. The bookmaker was ultimately fined AU$50,000. This case highlighted the VGCCC’s proactive approach to tackling issues outside of traditional gambling environments.

Increased focus on sports betting integrity:

Sports betting has also been a focal point for the VGCCC, particularly concerning the integrity of high-profile events. The regulator worked closely with the Australian Football League (AFL) to introduce tighter controls for the Brownlow Medal voting process after an umpire allegedly leaked results from round-by-round voting in 2022. Furthermore, in response to growing community concerns, the VGCCC took swift action to ban betting on under-19 sports and individual player performances in both junior and senior categories. This move underscores the commission’s dedication to protecting young athletes from the potentially harmful effects of sports betting.

A significant event during the 2023–24 period was the VGCCC’s decision to allow Crown Melbourne to retain its casino license after a two-year period under the supervision of a government-appointed Special Manager. This decision followed the completion of a series of stringent reforms by Crown Melbourne.

“Crown’s licence now comes with a series of stringent conditions,” said Ms. Thorn. “The casino will be subject to a three-year Transformation Plan, with the operator being held accountable for its progress during this period.”