Bingo is set to undertake a regulatory overhaul in Victoria after the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission opened up industry consultations to address issues within the sector.
Hoping to ensure that bingo remains social, safe and fair, the VGCCC has launched a wide-ranging inquiry to industry stakeholders and the general public to deepen its understanding of challenges within bingo as the game format becomes increasingly digitised.
“In recent years, the commercial bingo landscape has modernised, transitioning from traditional paper-based gameplay to electronic enhancements with substantial jackpots,” said Commission Chair, Fran Thorn.
“Given this evolution, it is crucial for us to assess and address issues of fairness, integrity and the potential for gambling harm, particularly among at-risk groups such as seniors, First Nations communities, women and lower-income individuals.”
The commission noted that bingo produced around A$107m in gaming revenue across 2023, significantly exceeding the $61m revenue generated from keno.
Those wishing to contribute to the consultations can access an array of questions on several topics surrounding the bingo sector on the VGCCC website.
Topics include:
- What is working well in the sector?
- What could be improved?
- The risk of illegal activity within the sector
- Threat to children and young people
- How the community can benefit from bingo
- The transition from land-based to online
- Should poker venues offer bingo products?
“Despite regulatory oversight, we continue to receive reports and allegations of unlicensed operators and potentially fraudulent activities,” Thorn added.
“This is an opportunity to really understand how bingo works and how it is evolving with technology. We understand the social outlet that bingo provides for many community members.
“We want to understand the risks, reduce the potential for harm, and put a stop to any behaviours threatening the integrity and fairness of the game.”
Hoping to analyse the efficiency of current bingo regulations, the VGCCC has invited anyone of interest to interact with the consultations and participate in the inquiry to improve the Australian state’s bingo sector.
The consultation period began on June 6 and will remain open until August 1, 2024.