The Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (CGLR) is set to be replaced by a new Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCC) that would control and monitor all gambling and gaming services in the state of Victoria.
Earlier today, the state’s minister for consumer affairs, gaming and liquor regulation, Melissa Horne, officially announced the decision of the Andrews Government to take action to bolster casino regulation and oversight. She noted that the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission would not tolerate unethical practices, so the new gambling regulatory body would provide stricter regulation not only on the Melbourne casino but also on the wider gambling services across the state.
For the time being, a chair for the new gambling regulatory body has not been appointed by the Andrews Government. The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation is set to continue the monitoring and control of the local casino sector until the new watchdog is established. Minister Horne shared that more information about the new regulatory arrangements in Victoria will be provided in the months to come.
Deborah Cope, a regulatory and public policy reform expert, was selected to run an independent review into the casino regulation of the state. At the same time, another review into Crown Melbourne’s fitness to keep its casino licence is being held by the Royal Commission of the state.
Andrews Government Seeks Stricter Regulation of the Liquor and Gambling Industries in Victoria
Ms Cope’s independent review has provided guidance that was used by the state authorities in the structure and governance of the new Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. The new gambling regulator will be provided with the chance to impose better oversight measures associated with gambling harm monitoring and minimisation.
The Victorian Government has decided to establish the new regulatory body as part of its efforts to deliver high-quality control and monitoring of the liquor and gaming industries without any disruption of the ongoing regulatory activity.
Liquor licensing regulation will not fall within the scope of the VGCC, as this responsibility will be given to a separate agency. As Minister Horne revealed in her statement, the decision to divest these responsibilities marks a return to a pre-2012 model, under which there were two independent agencies that had a separate and specific focus on the regulation of liquor and gambling services in the state.
In addition, the new gambling watchdog will feature a dedicated division for employees working on the regulation of casino services. The unit is set to share resources with the broader gambling and licensing group of the agency and is expected to employ individuals with proven expertise in the field. As mentioned above, the Andrews Government still has not appointed a person to head the new regulatory body and until the new watchdog is officially created and ready to start operation, the VCGLR will be the body to oversee the casino industry in the state.
- Author
Daniel Williams
