The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has issued a public callout for feedback on the current electronic monitoring system operated by Intralot Gaming Services. Feedback should be written in response to this Monitoring Licence Review Discussion Paper.
“Your feedback will help inform how gaming machines should be monitored, and what monitoring arrangements may be needed in the future,” said Jason Cremona, Director Regulatory Services at the VGCCC, in a statement emailed to industry.
“We strongly encourage industry participation so together we can help ensure that Victoria’s gambling industry operates with integrity and is safe and fair.”
Since 2012, it has been mandatory for every gaming machine in Victorian club and hotel gaming venues to be connected to the IGS monitoring system after a licence was issued by the then-Minister for Gaming the year before. As outlined by the Discussion Paper, this monitoring system seeks to “ensure the integrity of gaming machine transactions in gaming venues” along with providing “data and information on gaming machines for regulatory, research and other purposes.”
Currently, the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 (GRA) provides for a single monitoring licence to operate for a term of 15 years. VGCCC’s call for feedback has been issued ahead of the termination of the IGS contract on 15 August 2027.
“The Victorian Government has released a discussion paper as it reviews the current arrangements before the licence ends on 15 August 2027,” said Cremona.
“Access the discussion paper and have your say on the Engage Vic platform, with submissions closing at 5pm Tuesday 28 May, 2024.”
To guide responses, the discussion paper provided by the VGCCC proposes the following questions to trade:
- Do you consider there are alternative options to deliver gaming machine monitoring services?
- What changes, if any, should be made to the ‘monitoring services’ undertaken by the monitoring provider?
- What changes, if any, should there be to enhance the monitoring system requirements, including in relation to the provision of data and reports?
- What do you consider to be the advantages and disadvantages of real-time reporting to venue operators and the VGCCC?
- What, if any, other equipment should be provided and maintained by the monitoring provider to deliver monitoring services and gambling harm systems?
- What changes, if any, should there be to enhance the YourPlay pre-commitment system requirements?
- How could the monitoring system be used to assist venue operators with compliance with AML/CTF obligations or monitoring of gambling harm?
- What do you consider should be characterised as essential services to be provided by the monitoring provider, including to address any current service gaps?
- Do you have any views on the most appropriate methodology to determine the setting of venue operator fees for the provision of monitoring licensing and pre-commitment services?
- Do you have any comments on the process for reviewing the monitoring and pre-commitment fees and what, if any, changes should be made to the price review process?
- Do you have any views on what, if any, service-level standards should apply to monitoring services
- Do you have any views on ways to enhance existing infrastructure and gaming machines to ensure Victoria’s monitoring service and gambling industry aligns with industry best practice?
- Do you have any views on ways to promote innovation and future investment in technology for the monitoring system and connected gambling harm systems?
- Do you have any views on how data and information from the monitoring system can be used to enhance harm minimisation, minimise criminal influence, ensure privacy and data security, or otherwise improve regulatory compliance?
- Do you have any views on the use of monitoring data for research, evaluation or other purposes?
“Interested persons and organisations are encouraged to make a submission on any or all of the matters raised in this discussion paper,” reads the discussion paper.
“A submission can be as long or as short as you like. There is no prescribed format. Your submission should be limited to matters relevant to the MLP; submissions on other matters will not be considered.”
To download the discussion paper, to submit feedback, or to learn more, visit the dedicated Engage Victoria webpage here.
