Gambling Awareness Week
In 1995, on 3LO Jon Faine’s program, I campaigned for Gaming venues to be subject to a planning permit. Amusement Parlours required a planning permit but not gaming venues.
The Gaming industry was quick to reject and deflect the need for Gaming venues to require a planning permit. At the time all you needed was a Fully Licensed venue and the approval of either the TAB or Tattersalls.
11 years later in 2006 the Bracks/Brumby Government introduced a planning permit for gaming venues. Whilst planning permits for gaming venues is now in place the system is still in need to review and more regulations and controls. In 1995 you could turn a licensed restaurant into a gaming venue. The same applies today. Under the new planning system introduced by the Napthine Liberal Government Gaming venues an be established in the new “Commercial 1” zones an application for a change of use is all that is required.