News and media releases: GIRO

On 29 and 30 November 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will hear an application from Ballarat Golf Club Inc to increase the number of pokies at the Ballarat Golf Club from 28 to 34.

This edition contains 2016–2017 gambling statistics for all Australian states and territories.

Victoria has passed legislation to introduce a point of consumption tax (POCT) for wagering and sports betting from 1 January 2019. The Victorian POCT will be payable by wagering and betting operators on the revenue derived from wagers and bets of customers located in Victoria.

On 24 September 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation refused an application from Dandenong Cranbourne RSL Sub-Branch Inc to increase the number of pokies at Dandenong RSL from 63 to 74.

On 21 September 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approved an application from Leopold Sportsman's Club Inc to increase the number of pokies at the Leopold Sportsman's Club in the City of Greater Geelong from 35 to 42.

On 7 November 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will hear an application from Altona RSL Sub-Branch Inc to increase the number of pokies at the Altona RSL from 58 to 80.

On 21 November 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will hear an application from Geelong RSL Sub-Branch Inc to increase the number of pokies at the Geelong RSL in the City of Greater Geelong from 42 to 72.

On 23 and 24 August 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Castello Cardinia Hotel Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at Castello's Cardinia Hotel in the Shire of Cardinia from 50 to 70.

On 17 August 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Castello Powell Hotel Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Powell Hotel in the City of Maribyrnong from 30 to 47

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has approved new rules restricting gambling advertising during live sport streamed online.

On 31 July 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation refused an application from Lynbrook Tavern Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Lynbrook Hotel in the City of Casey from 55 to 75.

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation has released the Sixth Review of the Casino Operator and Licence.

On 7 June 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from TTHL Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Torquay Hotel from 30 to 45.

The Department of Justice and Regulation has released a discussion paper to seek views from industry and the community on current and future wagering and betting licensing arrangements in Victoria.

On 27 July 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation released figures on pokies expenditure for the 2017–2018 financial year.

The Environment and Communications References Committee of the Australian Senate is conducting an inquiry into the extent to which gaming micro-transactions for chance-based items, sometimes referred to as 'loot boxes', may be harmful.

On 13, 20 and 27 April 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Darebin RSL Sub-Branch Inc to increase the number of pokies at the Darebin RSL from 65 to 80.

On 5 and 6 April 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Werribee Football Club Limited to increase the number of pokies at The Tiger's Clubhouse in Hoppers Crossing from 75 to 85.

On 26 March 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Horsham Sports & Community Club Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Horsham Sports & Community Club from 78 to 83.

On 4 and 10 April 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will hear an application from Station Hotel Officer Pty Ltd to introduce 80 pokies at the Officer Hotel in the Shire of Cardinia.