Victoria responsible gambling sector set for upheaval as support network to be dissolved
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation is set to be dissolved by July and absorbed by other government bodies following fresh bill in the Legislative Assembly
Australia’s Victoria responsible gambling sphere is set to face sweeping reforms after a new bill was introduced to the state parliament today, 30 April.
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Repeal and Advisory Council’s Bill 2024 was placed in the Legislative Assembly by Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Melissa Horne, which aims to dissolve the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation from 1 July.
The Foundation’s Gambler’s Help programme will be absorbed into the Department of Health to sit alongside community health services.
Likewise, gambling-related harm and awareness strategies will be put under the remit of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission.
Last year, almost 663,000 Victorians engaged with the foundation’s resources, with the body publishing several research papers and launching an education programme for upper primary school students about the risks of online gaming.
Horne insisted the changes would not result in redundancies ahead of the transition of functions.
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s headcount sits at around 50 across public health and prevention, community awareness, research, Gambler’s Help services, professional development and corporate support divisions.
The body is led by acting CEO Craig Swift, who previously served as CFO for the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.
In comments reported by state newspaper the Herald Sun, Horne said: “We recognise there is a better and stronger way to keep delivering the important functions of the Foundation – and that’s exactly what this Bill will do.
“We understand that this is still a challenging time of change for Foundation staff. All staff members are being supported and consulted with on the changes, and all current Foundation staff will keep their job,” she added.
Elsewhere, PointsBet CEO Sam Swannell has claimed that following Victoria’s impending point of consumption tax hike to 15%, he does not expect other states to follow suit.