Established in 1991, the Community Support Fund (CSF) is a trust fund governed by the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 to direct a portion of gaming revenue back to the community.
As prescribed by the legislation, the CSF receives 8.33 per cent of the revenue generated from the operation of electronic gaming machines in hotels. Any investment interest earned on the fund is retained and distributed for the community purposes set out in the legislation.
The Victorian Government can allocate funding from the CSF to a range of initiatives, which are administered by the relevant portfolio departments. Funded initiatives must be consistent with the CSF funding objectives prescribed in the legislation:
- programs that tackle problem gambling (first call on the fund), including payments into the Responsible Gambling Fund*
- drug education, treatment, and rehabilitation
- financial counselling services or support and assistance for families in crisis
- youth programs
- sport and recreation
- arts and tourism
- support or advancement of the community as determined by the Minister
- costs associated with administering the CSF.
The CSF funds are provided to government portfolio departments for making grants to a wide range of community-based organizations and councils, supporting them in building strong and sustainable communities.
The legislation also provides for the payment of one day’s revenue from the CSF to the Victorian Veterans Fund on 1 September each year.
Information for potential applicants
The Department of Treasury and Finance does not provide CSF grants directly to applicants. Potential applicants are required to contact the relevant government portfolio department to make an application for the CSF.
If the applicant is successful in obtaining funding from the CSF, the government portfolio department will distribute the approved CSF funding and administer the delivery of the approved initiative.
*The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation Act 2011 gives effect to the government's problem gambling policy. This legislation provides the basis on which funds will be transferred from the CSF to the Responsible Gambling Fund to reduce the prevalence and severity of gambling-related harm and to foster responsible gambling behaviour.