GAMING AUCTION BIDDER REGISTRATION OPENS
To participate in the new 2012 gaming industry, eligible clubs and hotels will need to obtain gaming machine entitlements.
Gaming machine entitlements will be available via a Gaming Auction in April/May 2010. The first step for all eligible venues interested in bidding in the Gaming Auction is to register to bid during the registration period, which opens on Monday, 26 October, 2009 and closes on Monday, 21 December, 2009.
Registration for the Gaming Auction involves completing the Gaming Auction Registration Form and Gaming Auction Deed Poll (terms and conditions), and paying a default bond.
A Bidder Information Pack is now available for all prospective bidders. The pack contains comprehensive information on the Gaming Auction, including the bidder registration form and the Gaming Auction Deed Poll (terms and conditions).
The Bidder Information Pack is available for download, or hard copies can be requested from:
http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au/gaming-bip-form.html
PRE-AUCTION CLUB OFFER OPENS
The Pre-Auction Club Offer opens on Monday, 26 October, 2009 and clubs should respond by Monday, 16 November, 2009.
The Pre-Auction Club Offer provides existing clubs with gaming machines the opportunity to purchase a maximum of 40 entitlements or entitlements up to the number of gaming machines they were permitted to operate on 4 June 2009, whichever is less.
A Pre-Auction Club Offer Pack will be sent out to all eligible clubs on Monday, 26 October, 2009. Clubs wishing to accept the offer are requested to submit a Pre-Auction Club Offer Response Form, Deed Poll and provide a security deposit by Monday, 16 November, 2009.
http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au/gaming-club-offer.html
STATE WIDE INFORMATION SESSIONS
Wednesday 28 October to Friday 6 November 2009
A reminder to all venues interested in attending the State Wide Information Sessions to go to the Gambling Licences Review website for details of locations, venues and times:
http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au/gaming-swis-2.html
If you are interested in attending the information sessions please send an email to gamingmachines@justice.vic.gov.au. The email should state the location of the information session in the subject heading, with details inside of your name, organisation and contact numbers. Please reply at least three working days before the start of the session you want to attend, so that the Gambling Licences Review can ensure adequate seating.
Bidder Information Packs will be available at all information sessions.
PREMISES APPROVAL PROCESSES
The government has introduced new premises approval processes as part of the Gambling Regulation Further Amendment Act 2009. These initiatives are designed to streamline the VCGR’s application determination processes.
If a venue wishes to apply for small increases in machine numbers (no more than 10 per cent), the changes allow the VCGR to determine the application papers without a public hearing in some circumstances. The State’s regional caps and municipal limits will still apply.
Further information will be provided about when this will take effect.
TRANSFER RULES CONSULTATION
Gaming machine entitlements will be allocated to eligible venue operators via the Pre-Auction Club Offer and the Gaming Auction. Once gaming machine entitlements are allocated, venue operators will be able to transfer those gaming machine entitlements under the Transfer Rules determined by the Minister.
The draft Transfer Rules have been released for comment to stakeholders, industry and the community. It is proposed that the Minister for Gaming will formally determine the Transfer Rules later in 2009.
The Transfer Rules Discussion Paper is now available from this website. Anyone wishing to comment on the Transfer Rules Discussion Paper should lodge their submission via the online tool via the link below:
http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au/gaming-transfer-rules-consultation.html
Submissions should relate only to the proposed Transfer Rules. Any submission that seeks to revisit decisions already announced by the government in relation to the new venue operator arrangements will not be considered.
Submissions must be received by the Gambling Licences Review by 4.00pm, Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Friday, 20 November 2009. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Respondents with no online access can request a copy of the Transfer Rules Discussion Paper by writing to the following address:
Gambling Licences Review
Office of Gaming and Racing
Department of Justice
PO Box 18055
Melbourne Victoria 8003
Please refer to the Transfer Rules Discussion Paper for the full details of conditions for participating in the consultation process, including publication of submissions.
KEEPING YOU INFORMED
The next Gaming Machine Industry Bulletin will be issued when new information becomes available.
If you would also like to be kept up to date on the changes to the wagering licence and keno licence, you can subscribe to those newsletters on the website at http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au.
If you would like to find out more information on the overall Gambling Licences Review please go to the Gambling Licences Review website at http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au.
To unsubscribe from our email updates visit http://www.gamblinglicences.vic.gov.au/unsubscribe.html.