Victoria Will Hold Australian Operators Responsible For Gambling Harm

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Commission has notified casino operators that they're going to be held responsible if they don't work to minimise gambling-related harms in the Australian state.

The VGCC became Victoria's gaming regulator in 2022 with the mission of minimising gambling-related harms and addiction. The casino operators in the state will be expected to act quickly when a player is exhibiting signs of gambling harms, with the regulator saying that there'll be a zero tolerance policy in place.

To help operators and players, the VGCC is launching a Harm Minimisation Assessment Tool, which can be used by operators to assess whether gambling machines meet safe gambling criteria set out by regulations. There will also be maximum bet limits for online keno, and new marketing restrictions for the Crown Casino Melbourne, which has been recently fined for allowing gamblers to make cheques out to themselves in order to gamble.

Punitive measures such as fines, and loss of licences could be part of the enforcement actions taken for breaches.

In a statement, VGCC Chair Fran Thorn said, "We are committed to holding gambling operators to account against their social licence, not just their regulatory obligations. The link between gambling and harm is established, just like the link between smoking and cancer is established.

"We are making our views on gambling harm crystal clear to the industry and the wider community. Without qualification, gambling causes harm to people who participate, as well as their family, friends, colleagues and the community in which they live.

"Gambling operators have a duty to care and act to prevent causing harm to their customers and the broader community."