Victoria’s regulator has penalised a Melbourne pub, issuing a letter of censure and fine, for breaches relating to payment of its gaming taxes.
In accordance with the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and the Accounting and Auditing Venue Requirements set out by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC), gaming venue operators must pay gaming taxes each month on the seventh day (or next business day) of the following month.
Operators are expected to manage their gaming revenue to ensure sufficient funds are available in their nominated account to cover their expected tax liability when it is due.
The Commission says the nominated account must not be used for other transactions, such as (but not limited to) payment of fees for monitoring or maintenance or to third party service providers, payments for leases or to other government bodies, or anything relating to non-gaming activities.
If the taxes are not paid the VGCCC can take disciplinary action, which can include the cancellation or suspension of an operator’s licence, a change to licence conditions, a letter of censure, or fines.
The VGCCC found that in February 2023 Bell’s Hotel in South Melbourne had breached its gaming tax obligations under section 3.6.6C of the Act, on account it did not pay its gaming tax until 87 days after the due date, and that it had failed to comply with its obligations concerning the nominated gaming bank account by using funds in the account to pay operational expenses.
In July the Hotel was fined $30k, with $20k suspended, for failing to pay taxes on time and not adhering to key requirements.
