To establish a new gaming venue, an applicant must obtain a Venue Operator Licence from the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).

An application will be approved only if it meets the requirements of the Gaming Regulation Act 2003. Most importantly, the Commission cannot approve an application if the proposal would have a negative impact on the community. For more information, see Key factors in deciding gaming machine applications fact sheet (PDF, 279.68 KB).

The social and economic impacts associated with an application are considered by decision makers. Impacts may be positive (‘benefits’) or negative (‘disbenefits’) and are generally given different weights (e.g. low, moderate, high) to estimate the overall impact of the proposal. The relative importance of social and economic impacts within each assessment process is determined by the VGCCC, not by Council.

Anyone with an interest in an application can make a submission to the VGCCC. The VGCCC recommends third parties make their submission through the established portal link for this application.

When making your submission, keep in mind that the Commission must assess the impact of the specific proposal, not the impact of gambling in general.

The VGCCC has advised that submitters names are not published, however commissioners at the hearing may read out the names of submitters.

Should submitters wish to remain completely anonymous, they should indicate that in the comments section of the submission template.

In considering an independent Social and Economic Impact Assessment and community feedback, at the Council Meeting held on 24 April 2024, Council endorsed its submission to the VGCCC, opposing the application.

Under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 and its amendments, the VGCCC is responsible for determining applications for a Venue Operator Licence at a public hearing. The Act allows Council to make a submission in respect to a Venue Operator Licence application and to appear at the public hearing to present evidence in support of its submission.

The VGCCC provided Council with official notification of the application for a new gaming premise at Romsey Hotel on Monday 26 February 2024.

At the Council Meeting held on 24 April 2024, Council unanimously endorsed its submission to the VGCCC, opposing the application.

The VGCCC will consider the application – including Council’s submission – at a hearing commencing 21 May 2024.

Below are the legislated timelines for this process:

• Day 1: VGCCC formally notify Council of the electronic gaming machine application at Romsey Hotel.
• Day 37: No later than day 37, Council must inform the VGCCC if it intends to submit a SEIA.
• Day 60: No later than 60 days from notification, Council must submit the completed SEIA.
• Day 120: within 60 days receiving the SEIA from Council, the commission must hold a hearing and make a decision on the application.

Use and installation of the gaming machines may require a planning permit, subject to the controls of Clause 52.28 of the Macedon Ranges Planning Scheme.

A planning permit would be required for buildings and works.

Council has accepted and allocated for review a planning permit application on 19 January 2024 relating to the development of an extension to an existing building at 90-94 Main Street in Romsey. This application will now go through the standard process for consideration and is currently with Council’s Statutory Planning team for initial assessment. You can view the applications on Council’s online planning portal.