News and media releases: GIRO

The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation has updated its Entitlements Register to show hotel and club venue operators allocated entitlements to operate gaming machines from August 2022

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 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 3 September 2018, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approved 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.

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.

Amendments to the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 passed by the Victorian Parliament late last year include changes to the amount of money accessible by EFTPOS in hotels and clubs operating pokies and the actions staff are required to take when customers wish to withdraw cash.

In December 2017, the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee commenced an inquiry on the Communications Legislation Amendment (Online Content Services and Other Measures) Bill 2017.

Legislative amendments to commence on 17 February 2018 will ban online wagering providers, such as online bookmakers, from offering credit to Australian punters. This includes offering punters a deferred settlement facility.