VGCCC CEO Annette Kimmitt to Step Down for Personal Reasons

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) announced that it is set to part ways with its chief executive officer, who has decided to leave the regulator for personal reasons.

The CEO Will Step Down in March

Annette Kimmitt has served as CEO of the commission since March 2022, when she replaced interim CEO Scott May. Since then, she has been responsible for managing the regulatory body and ensuring that local gaming bodies are held to high standards.

As a former law specialist and ex-managing partner and CEO at multinational law firm MinterEllison, Kimmitt brought in robust expertise that reinforced the VGCCC’s regulatory efforts. During her time as CEO of the Victorian regulator, she spearheaded the regulatory actions against Tabcorp, which was recently slammed with a huge AUD 4.6 million fine for repeated responsible gambling violations.

Kimmitt is set to officially step down in March 2025, ending her time as CEO. In the meantime, she will retain her NED positions at Trawalla Group and Mirrabooka Investments.

Kimmitt Wants to Spend More Time with Her Family

Kimmitt’s departure was prompted by personal reasons as the incumbent CEO wanted to spend more time with her family. She elaborated on that in an interview with The Guardian Australia, saying that she is expecting her first granddaughter to be born in January.

I have got my first grand-daughter due in January, my mother is ageing and needs a bit more help. It is just that time of life where I’m deciding to step away from full-time executive work.

Annette Kimmitt, CEO, VGCCC

Kimmitt said that she is really proud of the VGCCC’s progress in her three years as chief executive and pointed out that the commission is now lauded as Australia’s “strongest gambling regulator.”

For context, since January 2022, the VGCCC has levied almost AUD 260 million in fines. Additionally, the industry has had 88 disciplinary actions against gaming operators just last year, according to Kimmitt.

Kimmitt concluded that Australia’s gambling industry must be held to account and penalized for its violations.

Fran Thorn, chair of the VGCCC, thanked Kimmitt for her “leadership, drive and laser-like focus,” explaining that these qualities were fundamental to the authority’s transformation following the Crown Royal Commission.

Thorn said: “Now recognized as the nation’s strongest gambling regulator, under her [Kimmitt’s] stewardship the VGCCC has designed and implemented a new risk-based, intelligence-led approach to regulating Victoria’s gambling industry. This will be her enduring legacy.”