The Victoria Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) has introduced a new audit process, which it says has been designed to better assess the accuracy and completeness of reported gaming machine data.
The VCGLR said that the new process will require venues to provide the regulator with soft meter readings from all their operational machines, for three consecutive days, in a form which will be provided by the VCGLR. The regulator will phone venues before an audit to outline the process.
In detailing the new audit method, the VCGLR said it will enable the regulator 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.
In outlining the process, the regualtor said: “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 regulator added: “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.”
The VCGLR also said that once it has completed an audit it will write to the venue operator with the outcomes and that it is hoping to audit around 10 venues a week, therefore most venues in the Victorian network will be audited each year.