Victoria has introduced mandatory closure periods for gaming rooms in all hotels and clubs across the state.
Victorian Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, the Hon. Melissa Horne MP, has decreed that venues are prohibited from allowing gaming machines to be played between the hours of 4am and 10am, beginning 30 August 2024.
Mandatory closure periods are intended to provide a break in play to allow patrons to ‘get out of the zone’, potentially prompting them to be more aware and informed about their behaviours.
In Victoria, all gaming machines must be connected to an electronic monitoring system, which is operated by Intralot Gaming Services (IGS).
From 30 August 2024 the company will ensure all gaming machines across all venues are automatically turned off at 4am, and on at 10am.
Operators can opt-in earlier to facilitate testing, deployment or maintenance of EGMs, and need to check their existing nominated gaming hours to prepare for the new requirement and ensure they comply.
Venues must also specify nominated gaming hours via IGS’ monitoring system and ensure that by 30 August they comply with all legislative and regulatory requirements.
The VGCCC has warned it will take a zero tolerance approach to any non-compliance, where breaches are detected. Inspectors will issue breaches and enforcement actions from the 30 August start date.
The regulator has also issued a warning on fraudulent ‘Ticket-In Ticket-Out’ (TITO) tickets, suggesting gaming venue staff should not pay out any tickets without first scanning or validating with their TITO provider.
The VGCCC has received reports of a patron attempting to cash-in fraudulent TITO tickets and pressuring staff to cash them without performing the proper validations.
If a scanned TITO ticket is not valid staff should assume it is fraudulent and not pay the prize.
Refer to the ‘Monitoring of tickets issued by gaming machines’ section of the VGCCC’s Accounting Auditing Venue Requirements (AAVR) for more information.
Anyone that has experienced a fraudulent TITO ticket is asked to contact the Commission at contact@vgccc.vic.gov.au.
The Victorian regulator has also provided tips on Responsible Gambling Registers for operators.
Maintaining a register is how venues demonstrate they have implemented their Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (Code), which requires staff:
- observe and interact with customers to prevent and minimise gambling harm
- record interactions (and other relevant matters) in a Responsible Gambling Register (register)
The VGCCC provides guidance material on maintaining a compliant register and expectations, with an example of how a compliant register should look.
