Community Support Fund - 2011-12 Total expenditure

Established in 1991, the Community Support Fund (CSF) is a trust fund governedby the _Gambling Regulation Act 2003_ to direct a portion of gaming revenuesback into the community. In 2011 the CSF was transferred to the Department of Treasury and Finance(DTF) as part of the machinery of government changes following the StateGovernment election held in November 2010. The Fund receives 8.33 per cent of revenue from electronic gaming machineslocated in Victorian hotels. This constitutes about 10 per cent of thegovernment’s revenue from electronic gaming machines. The majority of gamingrevenue is directed to other purposes, such as supporting hospitals andcharities in the health sector. Each financial year, $45 million from this revenue is provided to theVictorian Government’s drug strategy, as outlined in the legislation. The legislation also provides for the payment of one day’s revenue from theCommunity Support Fund to the Victorian Veterans Fund on 1 September eachyear. The Victorian Government then allocates the remaining funding to a range ofportfolio departments. Funded initiatives must be consistent with the purposesof the legislation described below: * programs to tackle problem gambling are the first call on the fund, including payment of amounts into the Responsible Gambling Fund*; * drug education, treatment and rehabilitation; * financial counselling and support for families in crisis; * youth programs; * sport and recreation; * arts and tourism; * advancement of the community as determined by the minister; and * costs associated with administering the CSF.The funds provided to departments are generally then used to provide grants toa wide range of community-based organisations and councils, supporting them tobuild strong and sustainable communities. Any interest on funds held within the CSF is retained and distributed for thecommunity purposes set out in the legislation. For more information in relation to the CSF see the [Community Support Fund fact sheet (174 KBPDF)](http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/files/5583728d-d5fd-4ad7-a52a-a1cd0107251b/CSF-Fact-Sheet-2011-12.pdf) | [(333 KBDOC)](http://www.dtf.vic.gov.au/files/aa64737c-99bd-418d-8dee-a1cd010731e8/CSF-Fact-Sheet-2011-12-Word.doc)