News and media releases: GIRO

On 29 August 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Zagame's Berwick Springs Hotel Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at the Berwick Springs Hotel in the City of Casey from 95 to 105.

The Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Marlene Kairouz, has announced new measures to be introduced to reduce the harms from gambling.

The Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Marlene Kairouz, has announced new laws that will ban betting advertising on roads, public transport, and within 150 metres of all Victorian schools.

Commonwealth and state and territory gambling ministers recently met, for the third time, to establish a strong, consistent and best practice National Consumer Protection Framework for online wagering.

On 4 July 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Bendigo Stadium Ltd to introduce 44 pokies at the Wellington at Botanical Gardens in the City of Greater Bendigo.

The Victorian government has announced further details of the post-2022 gaming machine arrangements, including the allocation and pricing of future gaming machine entitlements, and new tax arrangements to apply from August 2022.

On 28 July 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation released figures on pokies expenditure for the 2016–2017 financial year.

On 13 and 14 June 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Noble Park Football Social Club to increase the number of pokies at its clubrooms, located in the City of Greater Dandenong, from 50 to 70.

On 12 July 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation approved an application by Wangaratta RSL Sub-Branch Inc for approval of new premises (the Sydney Hotel) as suitable for gaming with 50 pokies

On 27 April 2017, the Australian Government reached an in-principle agreement with state and territory gambling ministers to introduce reforms to provide stronger consumer protections for online gambling.

The Australian Government recently announced that it will introduce changes to ban gambling advertisements during live sports programs before 8.30 pm. These changes will apply on commercial television, commercial radio, subscription television, SBS and online platforms.

On 29 and 30 March 2017, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Highlands Hotel Craigieburn Pty Ltd to increase the number of pokies at Highlands Hotel in the City of Hume from 60 to 80.

On 23 March 2017, the Melbourne Magistrates' Court ordered Hawthorn Football Club Ltd to comply with a diversion plan after the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation alleged the club had conducted unauthorised gambling at its approved venue trading as Vegas at Waverley Gardens between 28 and 31 March 2016.

The Melbourne Magistrates' Court has ordered Caszur Nominees Pty Ltd into a diversion plan for modifying the gaming machine area at the Sherbourne Terrace in Shepparton without seeking the approval of the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regul

Dr Dina McMillan was recently appointed as a commissioner at the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

Racing Australia recently published the 2015–2016 edition of the Australian Racing Fact Book.

The Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation has issued decision-making guidelines for the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation to consider when determining an application for the approval of new pokies premises located in a building that includes permanent residential accommodation.

The Victorian Auditor-General's Office has tabled a report on the regulation of gambling and liquor in Victoria.

Victoria spent nearly $17 million, or 1.2 per cent, more on the pokies from July to December 2016 compared to the same period in 2015.

On 21 November 2016, the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation heard an application from Watsonia RSL Sub-Branch Inc to increase the number of pokies at Watsonia RSL Sub-Branch from 83 to 103.