VGCCC reminds venues of Easter and ANZAC Day rules
Information provided on poker machine regulations for upcoming public holidays.
Key points:
– The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has provided information to poker machine venues ahead of Good Friday and ANZAC Day public holidays
– In 2024, 14 venues were fined a total of $195,000 (£152,829) for breaching trading hours, with additional warnings issued to four venues
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has provided information to all venues with poker machines ahead of the upcoming public holidays. Venues failing to comply with the permitted trading hours on Good Friday and ANZAC Day may face fines and other penalties.
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan confirmed that 14 venues were fined a total of $195,000 for breaching trading hours in 2024. A further four venues received censure warnings for similar violations.
The Melbourne Racing Club received a fine of $60,000 for three venues called Steeples, The Coach and Horses and Peninsula Club. This comes after these venues allowed the use of poker machines before midday on Good Friday in 2024.
Hoppers Crossing Club was fined $30,000 for breaching the rules on both Good Friday and ANZAC Day, generating over $22,000 in poker machine turnover.
A new law, introduced in August 2024, now requires venues to close poker machine areas between 4am and 10am daily. Poker machine operations are restricted to venue liquor licence hours, with additional restrictions in place for Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day.
Good to know: Penalties for breaches are based on the length of the breach, revenue generated and the venue’s history of compliance
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan stated: “In Victoria, the availability of poker machines is restricted to a venue’s liquor licence hours, which may have additional restrictions on them on Good Friday, ANZAC Day and Christmas Day.
“With Good Friday almost upon us, I strongly advise venues to ensure they know, understand and comply with the obligations of their licence and only operate their poker machines during permitted hours.”
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