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Codes of Conduct.

Community Clubs Victoria / Gambling / Codes of Conduct

The Gambling Regulation Act 2003 makes it compulsory for certain organisations that hold gambling industry licences to have a Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct and, in the case of gaming venue operators, a Self Exclusion Program (SEP) in place. Organisations required to have an approved code include, but are not limited to:

  • Gaming venue operators
  • Bingo centre operators
  • The holder of the wagering licence or the wagering operator
  • Keno operators

The Codes encompass a number of initiatives designed to ensure club members are able to make informed choices, as well as providing support mechanisms for those who need assistance. 

Changes to the Code Review

As a consequence of changes in the regulation (Nov 2017) of Codes there will be no requirement to formally submit a review of the Responsible Gambling Codes of Conduct for the next five years.

Government is conducting consultation on what future Codes of Conduct should and might contain, and subject to that consultation new requirements may be issued later in the F19 year. 

CCV Code of Conduct (Code 28) – As Code Author, CCV suggests adherents undertake an annual review in the following manner:

  • Schedule a team/management meeting to discuss the operation of the Code and ensure minutes are taken.
  • Arrange a meeting with your Venue Support Worker or local Gamblers Help representative to discuss the operation of the Code and ensure minutes are taken.
  • Display a sign in the Gaming Area, inviting patrons to undertake a short survey relating to the Code.

Ensure the above documents are filed in a central location to be available upon request.

Gaming Code

CCV recommends clubs adopt the Community Clubs Victoria Code of Conduct (Code 28)* This version requires the front page and page 8 be tailored to your club:

Compliance with the CCV Code requires that the Code to be available on your clubs website (if you have one) including in community languages which you can download below:

*Please note: recent changes to the code are not reflected in the 2014 versions presented here. A formal code update will be made once all regulation changes are finalised (anticipated F19). Your club must still operate in compliance of issued regulations when they come into effect as these override any information in your code (see section above).

Other Codes

CCV has responsibility for three RG Codes:

  • **Code 3 – Clubs Victoria (CV)
  • **Code 22 – Community Clubs Association of Victoria (CCAV)
  • Code 28 – Community Clubs Victoria (CCV)

**Please note: code authors for the CCAV and CV codes no longer exist. It has been requested that all clubs adopt the club Code 28 – Community Clubs Victoria (CCV) as soon as possible.

You can check which code your club is currently listed as on the VCGLR website – Check your club’s code 

Adopting the CCV Code of Conduct

There is no fee payable for clubs who adopt the CCV code. It is relatively easy for a club to adopt the club Code 28 – Community Clubs Victoria (CCV).

All venue operators, must complete a statement of adoption confirming that an approved Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct has been formally adopted:

  • New licensees – New Club licensees adopting a generic CCV Code of Conduct – Code 28 for the first time, must provide the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation with:
    • A completed Statement adoption form Code of Conduct – New Licensee
    • A copy of the minutes from a board or committee meeting confirming the decision to adopt a particular code of conduct. An appropriate minute could be: 
      • “(Your Club) will adopt the CCV Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (Code 28) forthwith.”

Please note: Transition at your club should occur as soon as reasonably possible.

In practice little change will be needed, however there are some things to consider:

  1. Ensure staff awareness of the change by convening a staff meeting or formal training session
  2. Ensure formal and regular contact with Gambler’s Help and Venue Support Workers
  3. Ensure the updated code versions in different languages are made available on your website if you have one
  4. Ensure your Responsible Gambling Register is current
  5. Preparation for the review of the Code (now every 5 years)

Use the CCV Code Guidelines to ensure all processes are updated to your new code.

Commitment to Responsible Gambling

Responsible Gambling Commitment Sign

Clubs adopting the CCV Code are required to display the above message at the entrance to the gaming room and/or at the cashier’s station in the gaming room. Please print off a copy for display at your club.

Responsible Advertising and Promotions

Adherence to your Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct requires that each proposed advertisement and promotion at your club be checked against the AANA Code of Ethics to ensure compliance. (Note-Unaddressed advertising of Electronic Gaming Machine (EGM) gambling products is prohibited in Victoria.)

The AANA Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that advertisements and other forms of marketing communications are legal, decent, honest and truthful and that they have been prepared with a sense of obligation to the consumer and society and a sense of fairness and responsibility to competitors.

Employee Feedback

Clubs may wish to encourage employee feedback in relation to the operation of the code. This can be sought via this feedback form EMPLOYEE RG CODE FEEDBACK

Wagering Code

www.tabcorp.com.au/responsible_code.aspx

Keno Code

www.tabcorp.com.au/responsible_code.aspx

Club Staff Gambling Policy

Your code requires clubs to have Staff Gambling Policy (page 8) and offers two options. The first option reads

Employees of this venue are not permitted to gamble here at any time including playing gaming machines, keno, wagering or purchasing lottery tickets.

At first glance this might seem overly restrictive and unfair on staff, however the reasons clubs might adopt this approach include:

  1. Guard against the risk of staff developing a problem with gambling. Some research exists that indicates staff who have greater exposure to gambling have a higher than average propensity to developing problems with gambling.
  2. Member perception – where staff are seen to be winning, members may think they have an ability to manipulate the outcomes.

Your policy should reiterate your club’s commitment to a responsible gambling environment, detail what is and what is not permitted as well as detailing where a staff member might seek information if they believe they or a fellow worker may have a problem with gambling. CCV has a Staff Gambling Policy Template which can be tailored to suit your club.

Club Staff Gambling Policy Template

The other option in your code for a staff gambling policy states:

Employees of this venue are not permitted to gamble while on duty. Off-duty employees of this venue may gamble at the venue providing they are not in uniform, not wearing their gaming licence identification and have been absent from the venue since their last rostered shift.

This alternative stance is more commonly suggested by regional clubs where no other entertainment options might be available.

It is the club’s choice as to which option to include in your code, but it is important to ensure the information has been clearly communicated via induction and regularly reminded at staff training sessions.

 

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