Fran Thorn appointed Victorian gambling regulator Chair
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Former top health bureaucrat Fran Thorn has been appointed as the inaugural Chair of Victoria’s new gambling regulator.
She has been appointed for three years, starting 1 January 2022, and will help establish the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
Thorn, who resigned from her role as Health Department Secretary ten years ago, will have oversight of gaming and gambling activities throughout Victoria,
The VGCCC takes over regulation from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), but will no longer hold the responsibility of liquor regulation. That will be transferred to the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
“The changes we are making will see a return to a model that is fit-for-purpose and has a specific and separate focus on liquor and gambling regulation,” said Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne.
The new regulator follows a royal commission into Crown Resorts, which found that Crown Melbourne had engaged in improper conduct. Rather than pushing for the operator to lose its licence, the commission instead recommended that Crown continue operating under the oversight of a special manager for two years.
All 33 of the report’s recommendations meanwhile were accepted by the Victorian Government.
