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Office of Gaming and Racing

The Office of Gaming and Racing provides strategic policy advice and support to the Minister for Gaming, the Minister for Racing and the Secretary, Department of Justice, on:

• development and implementation of gambling legislation and regulation
• current and emerging gambling and racing issues
• the management of selected racing industry initiatives
• racing related licensing and appeal matters
• promoting responsible gambling strategies
• delivering services related to problem gambling
• leadership and support for gambling research initiatives.

Associated statutory bodies

The office also provides policy advice to associated statutory bodies:

• Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation
• Harness Racing Victoria
• Greyhound Racing Victoria

The office has an operational relationship with Racing Victoria Ltd and Racing Analytical Services Ltd.

The office provides administrative support for the Racing Appeals Tribunal, Bookmakers and Bookmakers' Clerks Registration Committee, and the Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council.

Operational principles

The Office of Gaming and Racing and the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation form the Department of Justice Gaming and Racing Business Group. The group’s operations are guided by these principles:

1. Develop and reinforce the Victorian Government's commitment to responsible gambling through measures that assist and protect problem gamblers and those at risk of becoming problem gamblers, their families and the wider community.
2. Develop and maintain the state's commitment to the highest standards of probity for gambling service providers.
3. Accept that gambling is a valid activity for many Victorians who are entitled to expect ongoing high standards of service, transparency and accountability from the gambling sector.
4. Ensure that the legitimate financial benefits of gambling (both private and public) are transparent, appropriately recognisable and fairly distributed to the Victorian community.
5. Ensure gambling service providers operate in a competitive environment, to the extent possible consistent with the other principles.
6. Establish proper consultative processes to ensure that appropriate information is given to the wide variety of people interested in gambling, and input is received from them. This includes stakeholders, affected parties and, to the widest extent possible, the broader Victorian community.