On Tuesday, the Victorian Government announced a new bill that will create a framework for the introduction of carded play on gaming machines throughout Victoria. Additionally, the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 will also decrease the maximum amount of money that can be loaded onto a machine at any one time from $1,000 to $100 and will introduce a minimum spin rate of at least three seconds per game.

Set to be trialled mid-2025 as a pilot program, the carded play system will require all patrons to insert a player card prior to operating a gaming machine. This card gives gamblers direct access to information about their gambling and will allow them to set limits on how much they are willing to lose.

Reflecting on the bill, Victoria’s Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne 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.”  

However, Victoria’s new bill has been announced just one week after Tasmania backtracked on its plans to introduce cashless gaming statewide, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff citing technical challenges.

Alliance for Gambling Reform’s Chief Advocate Tim Costello condemned Rockliff's decision.

“To claim that there are technological challenges to implementing this system is complete spin and misdirection. The government has effectively moved to protect the obscene super profits that are being made in Tasmania’s 90 poker machine venues at the cost of the public of Tasmania who are being devastated by pokies losses.”

Victoria’s new bill also trails behind the first NSW cashless gaming trial being criticised in May in an independent report commissioned by the State Government.

“The most common response was that there was little impact on how much time or money [was] being spent, or how fast people gambled,” wrote Professor Paul Delfabbro in his report.

Victoria’s bill was announced almost concurrently with the release of the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission annual report, which revealed that 88 disciplinary actions against gambling licensees and employees were performed over the past year. This includes fining ALH Group $177,500 for 24 different charges, fining Tabcorp $370,417 for various charges including failing to prevent a minor from gambling, and fining Crown Melbourne $2 million for allowing 242 people who had self-excluded from gambling to place bets at the casino.

“Our regulatory response is proportionate to the risks posed and harms caused when a gambling operator fails to comply with its obligations,” said Fran Thorn, Chair of the VGCCC.

“We have no tolerance for deliberate or opportunistic contraventions of the law and will not hesitate to take appropriate action when we detect a breach.”

In 2023, approximately 440,000 Victorians experienced at least one type of gambling harm, a 13% increase from the previous study conducted in 2019. These harms include feelings of psychological distress, relationship problems, financial issues, work/study difficulties, and physical or mental health concerns.

Nearly a third of Victorian adults who use poker machines will experience at least one harm from their gambling, while 20% will experience significant gambling issues.

“Almost 30% of Victorians who play gaming machines experience gambling harm,” said Melissa Horne.

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

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