Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Gambling Regulation Act 2003 - SECT 1.1.

Purpose, objectives and outline

1.1. Purpose, objectives and outline



(1) The main purpose of this Act is to re-enact and consolidate the law
relating to various forms of gambling and to establish a Victorian Commission
for Gambling Regulation.

(2) The main objectives of this Act are-

   (a)  to foster responsible gambling in order to-

   (i)  minimise harm caused by problem gambling; and

   (ii) accommodate those who gamble without harming themselves or others;

   (ab) to ensure that minors are neither encouraged to gamble nor allowed to
        do so;



   (b)  to ensure that gaming on gaming machines is conducted honestly;

   (c)  to ensure that the management of gaming machines and gaming equipment
        is free from criminal influence and exploitation;

   (d)  to ensure that other forms of gambling permitted under this or any
        other Act are conducted honestly and that their management is free
        from criminal influence and exploitation;

   (e)  to ensure that-

   (i)  community and charitable gaming benefits the community or charitable
        organisation concerned;

   (ii) practices that could undermine public confidence in community and
        charitable gaming are eliminated;

   (iii) bingo centre operators do not act unfairly in providing commercial
        services to community or charitable organisations;

   (f)  to promote tourism, employment and economic development generally in
        the State.

(3) In outline, this Act-

   (a)  generally prohibits gambling and activities relating to gambling
        unless authorised under this Act or the Casino Control Act 1991;

   (b)  provides for the conduct under licence of gaming on gaming machines at
        approved venues and the casino;

   (c)  provides for the licensing of wagering and betting competitions,
        including on-course wagering;

   (d)  provides for the conduct under licence of public lotteries and trade
        promotion lotteries;

   (e)  provides for the conduct of club keno games;

   (f)  provides for the conduct under licence of interactive gaming;

   (g)  provides for the conduct of gaming by community or charitable
        organisations;

   (h)  provides for the licensing of bingo centre operators and employees;

        (i)    provides for the conduct of gaming on board ships travelling
               between Victoria and Tasmania;

   (j)  establishes the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation to
        oversee gambling in Victoria;

   (k)  establishes a Review Panel to report to the Minister on certain
        processes;





   (l)  provides for the appointment of inspectors and inspection powers to
        ensure compliance with the Act;

   (m)  sets out offences;

   (n)  repeals 8 existing Acts that prohibit or regulate various forms of
        gambling, amends the Casino Control Act 1991 and makes consequential
        amendments to other Acts.

(4) Subsection (3) is intended only as a guide to readers as to the general
scheme of this Act.