Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Act 2025 (Vic)
Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Act 2025
No. 40 of 2025
TABLE OF PROVISIONS
Section Page
Part 1—Preliminary
1Purposes
2Commencement
Part 2—Amendment of Casino Control Act 1991
3Definitions
4Section 4 amended
5Disciplinary action
6On-going monitoring of associates and others
7Operator's duty to co-operate
8Change in situation of associate
9New Division 1B of Part 3 inserted
10Cashless gaming requirements
11Payment of winnings
12Section 68 amended
13Application of Division
14Carded play mandatory
15Player activity statements
16Payment of winnings by cheque or electronic funds transfer
17Banking
18Regulations
Part 3—Amendment of Gambling Regulation Act 2003
19Definitions
20Prohibited interests in gaming machine entitlements
21Endorsement of licence and Register
22Grounds for disciplinary action—monitoring licence
23Suspension of licence
24Grounds for disciplinary action—wagering and betting licence
25Disciplinary action against registered bookmaker or bookmaker's key employee
26Grounds for disciplinary action—public lottery licence
27Grounds for disciplinary action—keno licence
28Definitions—Division 3 of Part 3 of Chapter 8
29Definitions—Division 4 of Part 4 of Chapter 8
30Disciplinary action—bingo centre operator
31Disciplinary action—licensee
Part 4—Repeal of this Act
32Repeal of this Act
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Endnotes
1 General information
Casino and Gambling Legislation Amendment Act 2025
No. 40 of 2025
[Assented to 21 October 2025]
The Parliament of Victoria enacts:
PART 1—PRELIMINARY
1Purposes
The purposes of this Act are—
(a)to amend the Casino Control Act 1991 in relation to corporate associates, disciplinary action, player activity statements, cashless gaming and carded play; and
(b)to amend the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 in relation to club gaming machine entitlements and to make minor technical amendments to that Act.
2Commencement
This Act comes into operation on the day after the day on which it receives the Royal Assent.
PART 2—AMENDMENT OF CASINO CONTROL ACT 1991
3Definitions
In section 3(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert the following definitions—
'corporate associate, in relation to a casino operator or an applicant for a casino licence—see section 4(6);
fully automated table game means a table game which comprises multi-terminal stations that access and have connectivity with a base unit that is delivered using a fully automated, animated or electronic system with no part of any mechanical or manual device remaining;
semi automated table game means a table game which comprises multi-terminal stations that access and have connectivity with a base unit, but which still deliver the game using any mechanical or manual device;
table game means a game that has been approved under section 60 as a "table game";
traditional table game means a table game that is not a fully automated table game or a semi automated table game;'.
4Section 4 amended
(1)In the heading to section 4 of the Casino Control Act 1991, after "associate" insert "and corporate associate".
(2)After section 4(5) of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert—
"(6)For the purposes of this Act, an associate of a casino operator or an applicant for a casino licence is a corporate associate if the associate is a company within the meaning of the Corporations Act.".
5Disciplinary action
In section 20(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for the definition of disciplinary action substitute—
"disciplinary action means any of the following—
(a)the cancellation or suspension of a casino licence;
(b)the issuing of a letter of censure;
(c)the variation of the terms of a casino licence;
(d)the imposition of—
(i)a fine not exceeding $100 000 000; and
(ii)if the grounds for disciplinary action include failure to comply with a direction given by the Commission in relation to the Melbourne Transformation Plan developed by the Melbourne Casino Operator, an additional fine not exceeding $1 000 000 for every day of non-compliance with that direction while the Melbourne Transformation Plan remains in force;".
6On-going monitoring of associates and others
For section 28A(4) of the Casino Control Act 1991 substitute—
"(4)For the purposes of subsection (3), the matters are—
(a)whether the associate—
(i)is of good repute, having regard to character, honesty and integrity; and
(ii)is of sound and stable financial background; and
(iii)has any business association with any person, body or association who or which, in the opinion of the Commission, is not of good repute having regard to character, honesty and integrity or has undesirable or unsatisfactory financial resources; and
(b)if the associate is a corporate associate, whether the Commission has taken any disciplinary action against the corporate associate under Division 1B of Part 3.".
7Operator's duty to co-operate
In section 25A(2) of the Casino Control Act 1991, after "operator" (where secondly occurring) insert "(other than a corporate associate)".
8Change in situation of associate
(1)The penalty at the foot of section 28AA(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991 is repealed.
(2)After section 28AA(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert—
"(1A)An associate of a casino operator (other than a corporate associate) must comply with subsection (1).
Penalty:20 penalty units.".
9New Division 1B of Part 3 inserted
After Division 1A of Part 3 of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert—
"Division 1B—Disciplinary action in relation to corporate associates
28CGrounds for disciplinary action in relation to corporate associates
Each of the following is a ground for disciplinary action in relation to a corporate associate—
(a)the corporate associate has failed to comply with the corporate associate's duty to co-operate with the Commission under section 25A(1);
(b)the corporate associate has failed to comply with a requirement of a notice under section 26(1);
(c)the corporate associate has failed to notify the Commission of a change in the situation of the corporate associate as required under section 28AA(1);
(d)the Commission considers that the corporate associate is unsuitable to be concerned in or associated with the business of the casino operator.
28DCommission may take disciplinary action against corporate associate
(1)If the Commission considers that there is a ground for taking disciplinary action in relation to a corporate associate, the Commission may give the corporate associate written notice giving the corporate associate an opportunity to show cause within 14 days why disciplinary action should not be taken on the specified ground in the notice.
(2)The corporate associate, within the period allowed by the notice, may arrange with the Commission for the making of submissions to the Commission as to why disciplinary action should not be taken.
(3)After considering any submissions made under subsection (2), the Commission may take either or both of the following disciplinary actions—
(a)issue a letter of censure to the corporate associate;
(b)fine the corporate associate an amount not exceeding $1 000 000.
(4)A letter of censure may censure the corporate associate in respect of any matter relating to a ground for disciplinary action and may include a direction to the corporate associate to rectify within a specified time any matter giving rise to the letter of censure.
(5)If a direction given under subsection (4) is not complied with within the specified time, the Commission, by giving written notice to the corporate associate, may fine the corporate associate an amount not exceeding $1 000 000 without affording the corporate associate a further opportunity to be heard.
(6)The Commission may fine the corporate associate under subsection (5) whether or not the Commission has already fined the corporate associate under subsection (3)(b) in relation to the same matter.
(7)A fine imposed under this section may be recovered in a court of competent jurisdiction as a debt due to the State.
(8)A member of the Commission who has participated in consideration of disciplinary action under this section is not prevented by that reason alone from considering whether further disciplinary action should be taken.".
10Cashless gaming requirements
(1)In section 64A(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991—
(a)for "1 December 2025" substitute "1 December 2027";
(b)for "any 24 hour period" substitute "a day".
(2)For section 64A(3) and (4) of the Casino Control Act 1991 substitute—
"(3)The Minister, by notice published in the Government Gazette, may declare a day earlier than—
(a)1 December 2027 on and after which subsection (1) applies; and
(b)1 December 2025 on and after which subsection (2) applies.
(4)The Minister may declare different days in relation to different types of gaming.".
11Payment of winnings
(1)In section 64B(1) and (9) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "1 December 2025" substitute "1 December 2027".
(2)In section 64B(2) and (3) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "any 24 hour period" substitute "a day".
12Section 68 amended
(1)Insert the following heading to section 68 of the Casino Control Act 1991—
"Credit and accounts".
(2)After section 68(2) of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert—
"(2A)A cashless gaming account must be credited with—
(a)the amount of any deposit made to the account in the form of—
(i)cash; or
Note
See also section 64A(1) which provides that a casino operator must not accept more than $1000 in cash from a person in a day for the purposes of gaming in the casino, including in exchange for the issue of non-cash gaming tokens or chips. Section 64A(1) applies on and after 1 December 2027 or an earlier day declared by the Minister.
(ii)an electronic funds transfer from an account held in the name of the person for whom the cashless gaming account is established with an ADI or with a financial institution outside Australia; or
(iii)a transfer of funds from a deposit account; and
(b)the value of any non-cash gaming token or chip transferred or exchanged for credit to the cashless gaming account.
(2B)Despite subsection (2)(c), a casino operator may deposit to a cashless gaming account money as part of a transaction involving a debit card if—
(a)the debit card is used to make a transfer referred to in subsection (2A)(a)(ii) via an application on a mobile device or a website; or
(b)the transaction is processed in person by a member of staff.".
(3)For section 68(3) of the Casino Control Act 1991 substitute—
"(3)A casino operator may establish for a person a deposit account to which is to be credited the amount of any deposit made to the account in the form of—
(a)a transfer of funds from an account held in the name of the person for whom the deposit account is established with an ADI or with a financial institution outside Australia; or
(b)a cheque payable to the operator; or
(c)a traveller's cheque; or
(d)a transfer of funds from a cashless gaming account; or
(e)winnings in a form other than cash transferred or exchanged for credit to the deposit account.
Examples
1Chips.
2Chip purchase vouchers.
3Non-cash gaming tokens.".
13Application of Division
In section 71A(1) and (2) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "1 December 2025" substitute "1 December 2027".
14Carded play mandatory
(1)In section 71C(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991, after "game" insert "(other than a traditional table game)".
(2)After section 71C(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991 insert—
"(1A)A casino operator must not knowingly or recklessly allow a person to play a traditional table game in the casino other than by the use of a player card that meets the prescribed requirements and specifications.
Penalty:120 penalty units.".
15Player activity statements
In section 71E(3) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "in the casino," substitute "in the casino complex,".
16Payment of winnings by cheque or electronic funds transfer
In section 81AAB(7) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "1 December 2025" substitute "1 December 2027".
17Banking
(1)For section 123(3A) of the Casino Control Act 1991 substitute—
"(3A)A casino operator must not accept a deposit of funds into a deposit account in any form other than a form specified in section 68(3)(a) to (e).
Penalty:120 penalty units.".
(2)In section 123(3B) of the Casino Control Act 1991, for "permitted by subsection (3A) are deposited into an account established for a person" substitute "specified in section 68(3)(a) to (e) are deposited into a deposit account".
18Regulations
In section 167(1) of the Casino Control Act 1991—
(a)after paragraph (da)(v) insert—
"(va)procedures for checking player cards and verifying a person's identity before allowing a person to play a game; and";
(b)in paragraph (db)(iv), for "those statements;" substitute "those statements; and";
(c)after paragraph (db)(iv) insert—
"(v)prohibiting a person from using a player card that is not issued to that person to play a game in a casino;";
(d)after paragraph (dd)(ii) insert—
"(iia)restricting or prohibiting automatic increases in the amount of money available for gaming in cashless gaming accounts; and";
(e)after paragraph (dd) insert—
"(de)training and supervision requirements for casino employees in relation to the playing of table games in a casino;
(df)restricting the number of persons who can play a table game in a casino;".
PART 3—AMENDMENT OF GAMBLING REGULATION ACT 2003
19Definitions
In section 1.3(1) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003—
(a)insert the following definition—
"Chapter 5 body corporate has the same meaning as in section 9 of the Corporations Act;";
(b)the definition of externally-administered body corporate is repealed.
20Prohibited interests in gaming machine entitlements
In section 3.2A.7(3A)(c) and (d) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "840" substitute "1260".
21Endorsement of licence and Register
In section 3.4.24(3)(a)(vi) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
22Grounds for disciplinary action—monitoring licence
In section 3.4.59D(f) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
23Suspension of licence
In section 3.4.59G(1)(c) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
24Grounds for disciplinary action—wagering and betting licence
In section 4.3A.26(g) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
25Disciplinary action against registered bookmaker or bookmaker's key employee
In section 4.5A.14(1) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, in the definition of grounds for disciplinary action, in paragraph (e), for "an externally administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
26Grounds for disciplinary action—public lottery licence
In section 5.3.21(g) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
27Grounds for disciplinary action—keno licence
In section 6A.3.26(g) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
28Definitions—Division 3 of Part 3 of Chapter 8
In section 8.3.19 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, in the definition of grounds for disciplinary action, in paragraph (e), for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
29Definitions—Division 4 of Part 4 of Chapter 8
In section 8.4.17 of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, in the definition of grounds for disciplinary action, in paragraph (d), for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
30Disciplinary action—bingo centre operator
In section 8.5.13(1) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, in the definition of grounds for disciplinary action, in paragraph (e), for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
31Disciplinary action—licensee
In section 8.5A.14(1) of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, in the definition of grounds for disciplinary action, in paragraph (e), for "an externally‑administered" substitute "a Chapter 5".
PART 4—REPEAL OF THIS ACT
32Repeal of this Act
This Act is repealed on the first anniversary of its commencement.
Note
The repeal of this Act does not affect the continuing operation of the amendments made by it (see section 15(1) of the Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984).
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ENDNOTES
1 General information
See for Victorian Bills, Acts and current authorised versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.
Minister's second reading speech—
Legislative Assembly: 27 August 2025
Legislative Council: 11 September 2025
The long title for the Bill for this Act was "A Bill for an Act to amend the Casino Control Act 1991 and the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and for other purposes."
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