News 5
18 March 2015
Welcome to the latest news update for gaming venue operators about the implementation of the
Victorian Government’s pre-commitment scheme.
System development and rollout
The department remains on track for the state-wide launch of pre-commitment on 1 December
2015. Intralot has progressed with its system testing in preparation for VCGLR approval of the precommitment system.
The next project phase will include:

a live field trial in May 2015

the pilot in June 2015, and

the rollout from July 2015 to October 2015.
Live Field Trial
The purpose of the live field trial is to deploy and test the pre-commitment system in a real venue
environment. The project team will test the commissioning process and operation of the precommitment system live in four venues and give technicians the opportunity to test their equipment
installation processes prior to the pilot and rollout. The pre-commitment system will not be
available to players at the venues participating in the live field trial.
Pilot
The pilot will be conducted in June and will involve 14 venues and 100 players. This will be the first
opportunity for players to use the pre-commitment system. The purpose of the pilot is to ensure the
pre-commitment system operates as expected in venues when used.
Rollout
The department would like to acknowledge the significant effort put in by venue operators to
finalise agreements with suppliers for the purchase and installation of Player Account Equipment
and to nominate their preferred rollout dates prior to the end of last year.
Venue operators who have not yet finalised agreements with suppliers for the purchase and
installation of Player Account Equipment will need to ensure these agreements are finalised as
soon as possible. Your rollout installation dates cannot be confirmed until you have finalised your
agreements with your respective suppliers.
All venues must be pre-commitment compliant by 1 December 2015. Failure to do so will place you
in breach of the Gambling Regulation Act 2003, which carries a fine of approximately $17,000 for
each offence. The department is currently finalising dates with installers and will advise venue
operators of confirmed dates for commissioning by the end of March.
If you require any assistance with the supply and installation of Player Account Equipment or in
understanding your obligations, please contact the department directly at
[email protected].
Is your supplier providing Player Account Equipment that is compliant?
In August 2014 we issued the industry with a list of suppliers of Player Account Equipment who
had declared their intention to supply Player Account Equipment that would be compliant with the
technical standards.
The suppliers on this list are now in the process of having their Player Account Equipment tested
to ensure it is compliant with the technical standards. Those suppliers who have undergone the
testing and are deemed to be compliant will be added to the ‘Compatible PAE list’. This list will be
published on the department’s website at www.justice.vic.gov.au/precommitment and updated as
suppliers’ Player Account Equipment is tested and deemed to be compliant with the technical
standards.
We will advise you when this list is available so that you can confirm your supplier’s equipment is
compliant.
Training
Intralot is responsible for providing pre-commitment training for gaming venue and casino staff.
The training will consist of an online e-learning module that will be made available prior to the
commencement of rollout. Intralot will provide venue operators and the casino operator with
access to the training link at no cost.
Staff from each venue and the casino will be required to complete the pre-commitment training
before 1 December 2015.
You should ensure that the supplier of your Player Account Equipment also provides you with
training on how to use the equipment you have purchased.
Player cards
The Gambling Regulation (Pre-commitment and Loyalty Scheme) Regulations 2014 require you to
make both registered player cards and casual player cards available to gaming machine
players, giving them the choice to access and use the pre-commitment system as a registered
player or anonymously.
Details of the requirements for the appearance of all player cards used for pre-commitment will be
prescribed in the regulations that are expected to be made in the second quarter of 2015.
You will need to ensure the player cards used for pre-commitment look the same as, or similar to,
other player cards, such as loyalty or membership cards, used by players in your venue.
If you do not offer any type of venue card, you will still be required to comply with the requirements
prescribed in the regulations.
All player cards used in the gaming area of your venue will be required to include the precommitment scheme logo, website address and helpline number on the back of the card.
The department will soon publish on the department’s website a list of card suppliers who can
assist with card design and supply.
Information campaign
The pre-commitment information campaign will commence in October 2015 and the launch phase
will run through to February 2016 in support of the official launch of the pre-commitment scheme
on 1 December 2015.
The campaign will use in-venue materials to help promote the pre-commitment scheme to players.
The campaign will also include education and training for venue staff, venue support workers and
Gamblers Help workers to ensure they understand the features and benefits of the precommitment scheme.
The department will publish fact sheets on topics such as, player cards and branding, venue
obligations and training to assist you with the implementation of pre-commitment.
Questions?
You are encouraged to contact the Pre-commitment Implementation Project team at
[email protected] with any queries.
This news update is also available on the department’s website:
www.justice.vic.gov.au/precommitment.