The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has appointed Suzy Neilan as its new CEO.
An experienced senior executive, Neilan has nearly two decades of leading organisations in both the public and private sectors. Neilan has significant senior leadership experience in regulation, transformation and customer service, and a track record delivering large-scale technology and legislative change programs in highly regulated settings.
She is currently the executive director of strategy at the Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA), having held the position for more than three years, including periods as acting CEO.
Prior to her current role, Neilan had an extensive career in leadership and regulation positions within and with the Victorian public sector, as executive director of service delivery at the Victorian Building Authority, and general manager of infringement management enforcement services at Tenix Solutions, managing the outsourced systems and services contract for the former Department of Justice.
VGCCC chair Chris O’Neill said Neilan would help advance the policies of the VGCCC.
“As the VGCCC enters the next phase of the program of transformation we began three years ago, Suzy’s experience leading digital and technology transformation, and her deep understanding of education, enforcement and compliance will continue to ensure the Commission is well placed to meet future challenges and ensure the integrity, safety and fairness of the gambling industry,” he said.
“Suzy’s commitment to achieving regulatory outcomes that benefit Victorians makes her a strong leader to support the Commission and head the agency’s executive leadership team.”
O’Neill thanked Annette Kimmitt AM for her leadership over the last three years, remarking that her stewardship of the VGCCC since taking up the inaugural CEO position in 2022 had been instrumental in the regulator’s evolution.
“Annette’s holistic vision and tenacious drive led the Commission’s transformation in its first years and with strategic focus, determined how we would work with the industry to ensure that our mandate to regulate in the public interest would be met,” he said.
“On behalf of all at the VGCCC, I thank Annette for her exemplary service and dedication, and we wish her all the best for the future.”
Neilan said she was looking forward to being part of the Commission’s continued evolution.
“I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the VGCCC’s success and look forward to working with the dedicated and talented people at the VGCCC to make a positive difference for Victorian communities.”
Neilan joins the VGCCC less than six months after the State Government introduced the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 as part of its ongoing efforts to reduce gambling harm.
According to the state government, the Bill establishes a framework for introducing carded play on all gaming machines in Victoria, which will require patrons to insert a player card to operate a gaming machine. At the time of the Bill’s introduction, the government said it plans to pilot carded play in mid-2025 across selected venues before taking a “phased approached to implementation”.
Industry reaction to the news of mandatory carded play was mixed – with several industry stakeholders questioning the efficacy of carded play, as well as the infrastructure needed to use such a system across the state.
Neilan begins her role as CEO of the VGCCC on 1 April.
This article was first published on Club Management sister title, Australian Hotelier.