Proposed Changes to Gambling Regulations in Victoria
30 June 2008 at 3:12 pm
The Not for Profit Sector is invited to comment on proposed changes to the law in Victoria in relation to community and charitable organisation that conduct minor gaming activities such as raffles, bingo, lucky envelopes or fundraising events like "casino nights".
Currently, in order to conduct these activities, an organisation must be declared by the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation (CVGR) to be a community or charitable organisation.
The key change is the duration of the declaration. Currently, a declaration remains in force until it is revoked or renounced. It is proposed that a declaration remain in force for ten years. On expiry, a community or charitable organisation would be able to apply to renew the declaration.
This means that the VCGR must audit an organisation every few years to ensure that its purpose, activities, contact details and so forth are all still accurate and up to date.
The Fundraising Institute – Australia (FIA) says requiring an organisation to re-apply for declaration every ten years will mean that the VCGR can keep better track of the industry participants, and organisations that no longer need their community or charitable status can allow their declaration to expire.
It says the process for re-applying for declaration would not be significantly more onerous than the existing application process. It will only need to be undertaken every ten years.
Organisations that are already declared community or charitable organisation will not have to re-apply for the declaration straight away. The VCGR would make transitional arrangements that would see these organisations conducting business as usual while gradually moving to the new system over coming years.
If you would like to comment on the proposed changes, please direct all comments to Ross Kennedy, Executive Director Gaming & Racing by Monday 7th July 2008.
Comments should be marked "Re: Declaration" and emailed to GamingandRacingEnquiries@justice.vic.gov.au or
mail to:
PO BOX 18055
Collins Street East
Melbourne 8003
