Reforms reign in pokies harm

NEW reforms have been introduced into the Victorian Parliament that will give poker machine players more control over how much they spend.

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 will require all gamblers to insert a specially-devised player card to operate a gaming machine, allowing them to set limits on how much they’re willing to lose – known as pre-commitment.

A pilot of carded play will start in mid-2025 across selected venues and a phased approach to implementation will be taken to assist with changing patron behaviour.

From December next year, the amount of money people can load onto a machine at any time will be reduced to $100 from $1000.

Additionally, under the reforms any new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission after 1 December 2025 must have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game – slowing games down by 40 per cent.

The reforms build on the protections introduced at Crown in August 2022 and the establishment of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission in January of that year.

Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne said almost 30 per cent of Victorians who play the pokies experience gambling harm.

“These laws will save lives and livelihoods by giving control back to patrons,” she said.

“Gambling harm has consequences, not just for the person gambling but for everyone around them. These reforms provide important protections for people using gaming machines and for their loved ones.”