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Victorian Gambling Research Arrangements

The Victorian Government is committed to conducting a strong, rigorous and meaningful gambling research program that will inform ongoing policy development.

The Victorian Gambling Research Program is administered by the Office of Gaming and Racing in the Department of Justice, with the Minister for Gaming approving the research plan and releasing the research reports. Prior to the establishment of the current arrangements, the responsibility for government funded research lay with the Victorian Casino and Gaming Authority until 2000, and with the Gambling Research Panel between 2000 and 2004.

The Victorian Gambling Research Program

The Victorian Government commissions research directly and offers grants for gambling-related research on an annual basis. A wide range of research studies and reports have been commissioned to provide a better understanding of the dimensions of gambling and problem gambling. 

A central objective of the research program is to further understanding of the financial, psychological, familial, recreational, legal and employment impacts of problem gambling on people's lives. Attention is given to examining effective treatments and interventions for gamblers, as well as to determining if earlier interventions can prevent a recreational gambler from becoming a problem gambler.

Accessibility to gambling products was the priority theme of the first round of grants in 2006 from which eight projects were commissioned. The second round of research grants was advertised in 2007. The themes for the second round were emerging technologies, youth and gambling, and early interventions, and resulted in three projects being commissioned. The third round of research grants will be advertised in 2009-2010.

Between 2007-2008 and 2010-2011 some $5 million will be provided to fund Victorian research.

Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council

The Responsible Gambling Ministerial Advisory Council (RGMAC) advises the minister of the priorities set for the research program. The RGMAC comprises individuals with expertise from a range of community, local government, academia, industry and problem gambling services backgrounds.

The research program is also supported by an Independent Peer Review Panel (IPRP), comprising eminent researchers from a broad range of social, medical and psychological research disciplines. The IPRP provides independent expert advice to the RGMAC, the department, and the minister on research scoping, methodology and feasibility.

Gambling Research Australia

The Office of Gaming and Racing also provides secretariat support for Gambling Research Australia (GRA). The Australian Ministerial Council on Gambling established the GRA to be responsible for developing and delivering a national gambling research program. For more information about GRA and its research program please visit 

Gambling Research Australia