About us
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation is a statutory authority created by the Victorian Parliament to address the challenge of gambling harm in the Victorian community.
We work with partners and communities to inform people about the risks of gambling, and to provide support to those who need it, including people affected by someone else’s gambling.
Reducing harm
We fund and work closely with organisations across Victoria to provide free and confidential Gambler’s Help services to people experiencing harm from their own or someone else’s gambling.
We take a public health approach to our work, which means we focus on prevention, early intervention and support for those who are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm as well as those living in regional and rural communities.
For professionals
Our professional development centre offers learning and development opportunities for Gambler's Help staff and professionals in related sectors. We provide information and resources to help health and welfare professionals identify people experiencing harm from their own, or a significant other's, gambling and more effectively respond to their needs.
Research
The main aim of our research program is to build our understanding of gambling harm. Each year the Foundation identifies new areas of gambling to research and in addition to awarding research grants, we commission major research projects so that we can learn more about how gambling affects our community.
Resources
We provide information to community groups, local government and the public about gambling and its regulation in Victoria.
We also support Victorians to participate in regulatory and other processes relating to gambling, including licensing and planning processes associated with electronic gaming machines.

Melkat Pty Ltd v Campaspe Shire Council

23 May 2012

Facts

As the operator of the Caledonian Hotel in Echuca, Melkat Pty Ltd wanted to install electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and was required to apply for a permit.
However, the council defined the land where the hotel was located as a strip shopping centre and EGMs were prohibited in these locations.
Melkat then applied for a declaration from the tribunal under section 149A of thePlanning and Environment Act 1987 that the land was not a strip shopping centre as defined in the Planning Scheme.

Decision

The application for a declaration was refused.
The tribunal found the land met all the requirements of a strip shopping centre as it was:
Zoned for business use; and
A large portion of the buildings were shops (approximately 35 shops of 57 buildings as vacant shop fronts could still be considered).

Relevant Document

VCAT decision – Melkat Pty Ltd v Campaspe Shire Council

See our infographic on the Campaspe Shire Council and compare its pokies statistics with other councils across Victoria.

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