New audit process for gaming venues

This newly introduced process will allow the VCGLR to:

• accurately and efficiently compare source data recorded on the gaming machine to data reported by the Monitoring Licensee
• automate the process of validation by receiving data, from gaming venues, in a consistent and user-friendly form
• reduce the onsite validation processes currently employed when VCGLR is visiting gaming venues to conduct a Data Verification and Machine Operational Audit, and 
• focus on a risk based approach to conducting onsite gaming venue inspections. 

The process requires gaming venues to provide the VCGLR with soft meter readings from all their operational machines, for three consecutive days, in the form provided by the VCGLR.

Audit process 

Before an audit, the VCGLR will phone the venue to outline the process. 

Detailed information will then be emailed, which will include an explanatory document outlining the process and obligations, and a copy of the form which must be populated.

The audited gaming venue must then physically record soft meters for each operational machine, prior to opening for trade, on three consecutive days, and return the populated form to the VCGLR. 

The information must be returned on the form provided.

Information will then be audited by the VCGLR to assess the accuracy and completeness of the reported data. If the VCGLR finds any issues with the reconciliation process this will result in further investigation.

If a gaming venue fails to follow instructions or has not recorded of validated the soft meter readings physically from the gaming machine, this may be detected through the audit.

If the VCGLR finds variances in the data, the VCGLR will schedule a detailed onsite venue visit will to further assess a venues adherence to the process and to identify any reporting issues. 

Once complete, the VCGLR will write to a venue operator with the outcomes of the audit. 

As outlined in the Accounting and Auditing Venue Requirements, soft meters are required to be recorded and reconciled with polled data by the gaming venues on a daily basis, so the new approach should not significantly increase the reporting burden on gaming venues.

It is envisaged that approximately ten venues a week will be sampled, and therefore most venues in the Victorian network will be audited each year.

Should you have any questions regarding this process, please email gambling.audit@vcglr.vic.gov.au