Victoria’s gambling regulator to lose top dogs Kimmitt and Thorn

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has announced the departure of its maiden CEO, Annette Kimmitt, less than three years after she was appointed to the job.

In a social media update, the regulator said Kimmitt was retiring from her full-time executive career in order to spend more time with her family but that she will continue part-time work on private boards.

“Annette’s leadership, drive and laser-like focus were fundamental to transforming the VGCCC following the Crown Royal Commission and, by extension, the state’s gambling industry,” said VGCCC chairman Fran Thorn, who is also set to depart.

“Now recognised as the nation’s strongest gambling regulator, under her stewardship the VGCCC has designed and implemented a new risk-based, intelligence-led approach to regulating Victoria’s gambling industry. This will be her enduring legacy.”

In comments published by Guardian Australia, Kimmitt admitted it had been a “very challenging and difficult three years”, having joined what she called a “pretty shell-shocked and under-resourced regulator on the retreat”.

“I am really proud of what the organization has done in three short years,” she said. “We are now recognized as the nation’s strongest gambling regulator. We have really held the industry to account. Since January 2022, we have levied nearly $260 million in fines. We had 88 disciplinary actions against the industry just last year.”

The VGCCC was established in the wake of the Crown Royal Commission and, having overseen the casino operator’s remediation efforts in the years since, recently announced Crown as having returned to suitability to hold the state’s only casino license.