Sports News
| Published On Sep 1, 2023 7:11 am CEST | By Daniel Li

Victoria’s Gambling Watchdog Cracks Down on Rule-Breaking Operators

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Operators found to be providing incentives in violation of Victoria’s gambling laws have come under fire from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC). These offenses frequently entail working with sports groups to entice club members to open gambling accounts by offering them financial incentives for doing so.

Operators in Breach of Victoria Gambling Rules

Offering incentives to register accounts or recommend others is expressly forbidden by the Gambling Regulation Act of 2003. This law’s Section 4.7.10 covers a variety of incentives, such as credits, vouchers, awards, or other perks.

The VGCCC claims that such behavior violates operators’ “social license” as well as legal standards. Their legal permit to conduct business in Victoria is concurrently provided with this social license.

In a statement, the VGCCC made its position clear: “The VGCCC demands wagering service providers cease promoting their products in this manner as they may be in breach of legislation by doing so, in addition to being inconsistent with their social licence to minimise harm.”

The commission also made clear that it holds gambling operators responsible for their social responsibilities in addition to following the wording of the law.

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Clubs Cautioned About Community Expectations

The VGCCC also sent a warning to sports clubs, advising them to be cautious of the community’s expectations while enticing members to use gambling-related items. The regulator emphasized the necessity for athletic clubs to stay away from sponsorship agreements that can endanger members and perhaps include unethical behavior on the part of the wagering companies.

This warning is in line with the VGCCC’s continuous initiatives to stop the growth of gambling in Victoria.

A Regulator with a Focus on Harm Minimization

After assuming control of the state’s regulatory function in July 2022, the VGCCC has been committed to minimizing damage associated with gaming and resolving problem gambling. The commission has maintained a policy of having zero tolerance for operators that willfully fail to uphold their duties to prevent and reduce gaming harm.

Victoria has put in place a number of steps to lessen the detrimental effects of gambling, including a prohibition on betting on child sporting events. Additionally, after the Royal Commission’s findings concerning misconduct at Crown Melbourne, a number of gambling changes were adopted to address concerns related to poker machines (often known as “pokies”).

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The Commission declared Crown Melbourne “unsuitable” to hold a license in the state in April 2022, citing a number of the casino’s immoral and exploitative practices. These changes demonstrate Victoria’s dedication to protecting her citizens from the negative impacts of gaming.

Daniel Li

A day trader in cryptocurrencies and avid sports bettor himself, Daniel decided to join the team and share his expertise with the iGaming.org audience. Areas of interest are global crypto regulations and the adoption of cryptocurrency use in the world. Daniel loves to work hard and write “how to guides” related to sports betting to share his take on various topics.