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Community Benefit Statements

In 2002, the Victorian Government introduced a requirement that gaming venue operators lodge with the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation an annual community benefit statement.

The intention was to show the public exactly how gaming machines provide benefits to the community. Specifically, community benefit statements are designed to demonstrate that the contribution made by clubs to the community is at least equal to the additional tax that hotels pay into the Community Support Fund. This extra tax is not paid by clubs and equals 8.33 per cent of a hotel’s net gaming revenue.

An example of a suitable community benefit is a venue providing financial support in the form of uniforms, travel expenses and trophies to a local sports club. 

Community benefit statements: A new direction outlines the government's reforms to community benefit statements. It also sets out a draft Ministerial order on what will be claimable as a community benefit under the new arrangements.

On 22 June 2007, the Minister for Gaming announced that he had extended the consultation period and he would now make a new Ministerial order by 31 August 2007 to come into effect on 1 July 2008.

The minister extended the consultation period because there were a number of issues that the government believes warranted additional consultation and discussion particularly with the clubs sector. The matters that required further discussion included:

•  the treatment of staff costs, for example people employed in the general and administration of the club
•  recognition of the capital investments of clubs and associated financing costs
•  whether the limit on claims for capital works ought to be different to that proposed.

Submissions 

The submissions period has now closed, however Community benefit statements: A new direction is still available for viewing on this site.

 Submissions received can also be viewed on this site.