A clampdown on gambling and alcohol-related harms may be on the cards, following an eight-month review of reports produced in 2017, 2019 and 2021 by the Victorian Auditor-General (VAG).
Among 96 various findings, the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) determined four VAG recommendations from the 2017 and 2019 audits had not been completed.
Outstanding items for parliament to action related to liquor licensee checks, better targeting of gambling compliance activities, the compliance quality assurance framework, and quality of publicly reported performance measures.
On Tuesday, a Victorian parliamentary PAEC report made 61 recommendations calling for further reforms of the regulatory regime covering gambling and liquor in the state.
The recommendations included asking policymakers to consider what impact fewer electronic gaming machines would have, banning all gambling advertising during primetime viewing and in public places, and developing updated education resources for school-aged students about gambling and alcohol-related harm.
Committee chair Sarah Connolly said the committee heard evidence that Australian culture was one that was often described as normalising drinking and gambling. Only collaborative efforts across the three levels of government could help to change this, she said.
“We know that gambling and alcohol consumption both during and post the COVID-19 pandemic has increased. What also increased during that time, is the associated harm in the Victorian community,” Connolly said.
“Despite inroads being made to reduce gambling and alcohol-related harm to the Victorian community, there is still more work that both government and the industry can do.”
The Victorian MP added that implementing the report’s 61 recommendations, including appropriate regulations and safeguards for young people, would achieve a safer community for citizens.
The report also proposed the gambling industry be required to share real-time data with regulators, greater protection for children, the development of a Victorian online gambling strategy, development of a code of conduct for online gambling providers, greater transparency regarding compliance action taken by the gambling regulator and reforms to the regulation of Victorian bookmakers.
“The committee heard evidence to suggest that this has become more entrenched than ever, with the rise in social media and digital technology. This is certainly something that needs to be addressed, with states, territories and the commonwealth all having an important role to play,” Connolly said.
Other report findings noted that the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (VGRF), which was the focus of most of the 2021 VAG recommendations, was still progressing its reform work.
The PAEC said more effort should be made by the VGRF, which is responsible for addressing gambling harm in the community, to guide prevention and treatment programs.
By mid-2024, when the foundation is absorbed by other state government agencies, the report noted that public servants who inherited the functions of the group would need to do “significant work” to fully implement VAG’s recommendations to prevent and protect the community from gambling harm.
Connolly thanked those who were involved in the inquiry’s three days of hearings, parliament house youth roundtable, or made a submission.
“Whilst these conversations are never easy, the committee appreciated the full and frank evidence and the contribution they made to this report,” she said.
The inquiry excluded gambling in Crown Casino in Melbourne.
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