Victorian residents and organisations alike have been given the chance to have their say on how the state’s government and gambling regulator will continue to oversee the monitoring of gaming machines.
Over a decade ago, Intralot Gaming Services Pty Ltd (IGS) was authorised by the then Minister for Gaming to develop and be the provider of a monitoring system for gaming machines. As the arrangement is set to end on August 15th, 2027, the Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety is looking to review the said licensing agreement prior to its potential renewal.
The Purpose of the Monitoring System
At the time of writing, businesses such as clubs and hotels are obligated to connect their electronic gaming machines to the monitoring system so it can “protect the integrity of gaming machine transactions” and collect data useful for research, taxation, and regulation.
Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (GRA), IGS, in its position as the sole licensee, needs to operate the monitoring system, maintain it, and enable the implementation of responsible gambling measures. IGS must also use the technology to detect “significant events,” monitor transactions and the revenue of gaming machines, and allow operators to install linked jackpot arrangements (LJAs). These services and the requirements associated with them are among the first topics query participants have been asked to give feedback on.
In addition, the rules currently mandate that IGS record real-time data and provide it to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), or that the licensee ensures that data provision is done on a regular basis through reports. Regulators are contemplating making real-time reports to the VGCCC completely mandatory, and this is an idea that discussion paper respondents can address.
Protecting Patrons From Gambling Harm
Another topic that is subject to the inquiry is problem gambling. Namely, the Department of Justice and Community Safety has dedicated a section to gambling harm within its review, and in it, the department outlines the current set of rules associated with how the monitoring system tackles the issue.
Since 2014, machines under the regulatory oversight of the VGCCC have been affected by the IGS-developed YourPlay pre-commitment scheme, which involves spending limits and gives players a chance to keep track of their gameplay. Moreover, last year, carded play also became a requirement.
Carded play essentially prevents clients from utilising cash when they gamble on gaming machines, and instead has them use player cards issued by the gambling establishment the machine is located in. In December 2023, Casino Guardian reported on how Crown Melbourne introduced the technology to its gaming equipment, making it the first operator in Victoria to do so. Given the importance of this topic, the government asked respondents to give feedback on any changes that they believe should be implemented when it comes to the YourPlay pre-commitment system.
Other topics of discussion include the services operators have access to, the fees they need to pay for the services in question, and more. Those looking to issue a response have until 5 pm local time on May 28th, 2024, to do so.
- Author
Daniel Williams
