Victoria Gambling Regulator Issues 88 Disciplinary Actions

It has been a busy year for the gambling regulator in Victoria, Australia, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), judging by its latest report.

VGCCC Imposes Fines, Disciplinary Actions

On Thursday, the Commission released its 2023-24 annual report, pointing to a number of resolved issues, including the enforcement of disciplinary actions against gambling operators and employees found in violation of the regulatory framework and the issuing of monetary penalties. Presented in Victoria’s Parliament, the report reaffirmed the VGCCC’s dedication to combatting breaches of the gambling regulations and highlighted the implementation of a new “risk-based, intelligence-led regulatory approach.”

Notably, the commission confirmed it has taken 88 disciplinary actions in response to breaches by gambling employees and companies. At the same time, the VGCCC maintained a zero-tolerance approach to underage gambling. In fact, the efforts of the regulator in Victoria helped implement a ban on all betting activities for athletes under the age of 19, including prohibition of prop bets for anyone under the age of 18 regardless if part of junior or senior sports, as explained by VGCCC’s chair, Fran Thorn.

The latest annual report pointed to several disciplinary actions taken against licensed gambling operators, including monetary penalties issued against the Australian Leisure and Hospitality Group (ALH), Tabcorp, Myndit Pty Ltd and Bluebet Pty Ltd. In 2023-24, the regulator hit Tabcorp with an AU$1 million ($650,000) fine due to failure to comply with specific directions part of an investigation.

The ALH also received a fine. After the VGCCC uncovered the operator failed to comply with trading hours at eight different venues, the operator received an AU$480,000 ($312,000) monetary penalty. Myndit Pty Ltd and Bluebet Pty Ltd also received fines of AU$80,000 ($52,000) and AU$50,000 ($33,000) respectively.

The Regulator Vows to Zero Tolerance for Deliberate Breaches of the Rules

Thorn commented on the release of the new report, explaining that the enforcement on behalf of the VGCCC is proportionate to the risks and potential harm created by the failures of gambling operators to comply with the established laws. “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,” she added.

Some 2,770 inspections were conducted between 2023 and 2024, while the Commission also succeeded in 10 prosecutions. Thorn praised the regulator’s new tip-off function which enables people who suspect violations of the rules to file reports. She added that in the year since the tip-off feature was implemented, the VGCCC received more than 260 tips on various issues.