Regulators across Australia are reminding venues that compliance obligations remain a key focus in 2026.
Recent updates from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) and Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) highlight the importance of understanding legal responsibilities when hosting community gaming activities or promoting gambling products.
Together, the warnings underline a broader regulatory push to ensure gambling activities are conducted responsibly, transparently, and in line with state laws.
The VGCCC advised last week that pubs and venues who wish to host fundraising gaming activities such as raffles or bingo sessions must ensure they are formally declared as a community or charitable organisation.
As required under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, organisations must submit an online application or renewal at least 28 days before the planned gaming activity. There is no application fee, although supporting documentation may be required depending on the type of organisation applying.
To be approved, the VGCCC must be satisfied that the organisation operates in good faith for recognised purposes such as charity, education, religion, arts, culture, science, or other philanthropic aims such as supporting recreational or sporting clubs or a political party.
When assessing applications, the VGCCC may review the organisation’s fundraising practices and the conduct of individuals associated with it to ensure gaming activities are conducted honestly and for the intended community benefit.
If an organisation no longer wishes to conduct community or charitable gaming, it must notify the VGCCC in writing and surrender its declaration. Any active permits or bingo sessions must cease once the declaration is given up.
These requirements form part of Victoria’s regulatory framework designed to ensure community gaming activities remain transparent, fair and free from criminal influence, and benefit the connected community or charitable organisation.
For further information visit the VGCCC website.
Meanwhile, this week L&GNSW advised that a key focus of its regulatory processes this year will be social media influencers.
One of L&GNSW’s responsibilities is to ensure advertising visible to the NSW community, including social media posts, complies with NSW laws.
Tarek Barakat, Hospitality and Racing Deputy Secretary, said an understanding of the law is vital given the rise of gambling promotion by social media influencers.
Barakat said L&GNSW will be focusing on marketing and customer retention practices.
“Gambling operators should be careful about any affiliate or partnership arrangements as we are holding them responsible for the advertising of their products.
“The things we are targeting include paid and unpaid promotional partnerships with wagering operators and gaming machine operators, influencer content that normalises betting behaviour or glamorises gaming products, and in particular, the use of platforms, including podcasts, with large youth or vulnerable audiences,” he warned.
These practices are being targeted as they may increase the risk of gambling harm, blurring the line between marketing and entertainment.
Content creators will be required to demonstrate legal compliance of their social media and website content.
Barakat said other target areas include focusing on the barriers to closing gambling accounts as well as loyalty programs, and alcohol-related harm hotspots.
L&GNSW annually publishes its regulatory priorities to provide the industry with an opportunity to address concerning behaviour proactively.
For further information visit Hospitality and Racing Strategy 2026-28 | NSW Government.
