Australia's VGCCC sets 2025–26 plan for safer gambling
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has released its Annual Plan for 2025–26. The annual plan, which was released on 15 October, outlines the Commission’s measures to “protect Victorians from gambling harm, strengthen industry accountability and build public trust.”
Now in its fourth year as a standalone regulator, the Commission said it remains focused on delivering meaningful change that puts Victorian communities first, ensuring gambling is conducted fairly, safely, and free from criminal influence.
VGCCC Chief Executive Officer Suzy Neilan said the new plan reflects the regulator’s evolving approach and its strong commitment to community wellbeing. “This year’s plan reflects our ambition to be bold, intelligence-led, data-driven, and deeply connected to the communities we serve,” Neilan said. “We’re evolving how we regulate, using smarter tools, stronger partnerships, and a sharper focus on harm minimisation to protect Victorians.”
The VGCCC said its work continues to be guided by the Minister’s Statement of Expectations, which “calls for best-practice regulation that listens to lived experience, supports innovation, and puts community safety first.”
Focus on prevention and accountability
The Commission’s priorities for the year are focused on prevention and accountability. The VGCCC said it aims to prevent gambling harm by identifying risky behaviour early, protecting minors and excluded individuals, and ensuring responsible advertising. It also seeks to stop criminal exploitation by working closely with law enforcement to detect and prevent money laundering and other illegal activity.
“Our core purpose is to ensure that gambling operates with integrity, safety, and fairness for all,” Neilan said.
The Commission noted that its approach is informed by lessons from the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence and that it will continue to build on reforms to strengthen oversight and transparency in the gambling industry.
Strategic projects on the pipeline
The VGCCC said it is delivering a range of strategic projects designed to benefit Victorians directly. Among these initiatives are a five-year public awareness campaign to educate and empower communities about gambling harm and technology upgrades to make regulation more efficient and responsive. The Commission also reaffirmed its support for “mandatory carded play and pre-commitment reforms to help people stay in control of their gambling.”
“We’re not just regulating, we’re modernising how regulation is done,” Neilan said. “By aligning our work with the Statement of Expectations and our core priorities, we’re making sure our efforts are proactive, transparent, and focused on long-term community benefit.”
The VGCCC emphasised that its regulatory activities will be informed by intelligence-led decision-making and a continued focus on reducing harm through education, engagement, and enforcement.
Strengthening the regulatory framework
Neilan said the Commission will continue making the gambling industry accountable for compliance with legal responsibilities and upholding its social licence to operate.
“Notable examples include directing Crown and Tabcorp to implement major transformation programs and maintaining ongoing oversight of these initiatives,” she said. “We have also enforced a zero-tolerance policy towards providers that permit underage gambling.”
The VGCCC’s regulatory scope covers all sectors operating within Victoria, including the Melbourne casino, poker machine and venue operators, wagering service providers, bookmakers, sports controlling bodies, Keno, public lotteries, and community and charitable gaming providers.
To achieve its objectives, the Commission shared that it has introduced a sector-based operating model for comprehensive regulation and is continuing to strengthen its risk-based, intelligence-led approach to compliance. A major component of VGCCC’s strategy is the modernisation of its digital infrastructure, which aims to streamline operations, reduce administrative burdens, foster greater awareness of regulatory responsibilities, encourage self-regulation, and improve outcomes for the broader community.
“Our aspiration is to adopt smarter working methods, leverage new technology, and remain bold and agile as we evolve as a leading regulator,” Neilan said.
Engaging communities and strengthening partnerships
The Commission said it will engage on an ongoing basis with a range of stakeholders, including people with lived experience of gambling harm and the wider community, industry peak bodies, and gambling operators. It also intends to maintain strong relationships and collaborate with law enforcement agencies and other relevant regulators to strengthen compliance and prevent criminal activities.
Neilan said that the coming year represents the beginning of a new chapter for the VGCCC. “[The coming year will be] a time to consolidate our regulatory framework and services, strengthen our foundation as an innovative regulator, and advance the maturity of our organisation to better support Victorians,” she said in the statement in VGCCC’s annual plan.
She added that the Commission’s relocation to new premises in Melbourne’s CBD will further “reinforce organisational values and enhance workplace culture by promoting stronger connections and collaboration across the Commission.”
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