News and media releases: pokies

Grandview Hotel Victoria Pty Ltd was granted a license for 50 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

This is the first combined gaming and planning review proceeding where the tribunal has upheld the gaming approval but refused the planning approval.

Collingwood Football Club applied for an amendment to its license to add 8 electronic gaming machines (EGMs), increasing its EGMs from 80 to 88.

The Maryborough Highland Society lodged a license application for 65 pokies with the former Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (VCGR) in October 2011.

The Francis Hotel Pty Ltd applied for a license and planning permit for 32 electronic gaming machines (EGMs) for the Francis Hotel located on Lonsdale Street in Melbourne CBD.

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.

Maryborough Highland Society applied for an amendment to their license to increase their electronic gaming machines (EGMs) from 56 to 59.

Royal Hotel Benalla applied for an amendment to their license to increase their electronic gaming machines (EGMs) from 20 to 30. If approved, the hotel said it would increase its financial contributions to the community.

This case represents a successful challenge to a pokies installation made by a local resident, by objecting to the grant of a planning permit by the council. In its finding, the tribunal stated that an assessment of the social and economic impacts of pokies was required under planning legislation as well as during the licence application hearing by the commission.

The Romsey Hotel decision influenced how applications for gaming machines are heard at the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.