The Victorian Government has announced the introduction of sweeping new reforms to protect Victorians from gambling harm – making the state’s gambling protections the toughest in Australia.
Premier, Daniel Andrews and Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne said the new reforms will help to reduce gambling harm at venues with electronic gaming machines (EGMs).
An estimated 330,000 Victorians experience harm as a result of gambling each year – costing Victoria around $7 billion annually and leading to significant financial distress, mental health concerns and relationship issues.
“Everyone loses when it comes to gambling harm, and it’s not confined to money – people lose their relationships, their jobs and their wellbeing,” said Minister Horne.
“Our previous reforms have delivered stronger oversight of the gambling industry in Victoria with a regulator unafraid to hold venues to account – now we’re doing more important work to reduce gambling-related harm.”
Under the reforms announced today, by the end of 2023 all gaming machines in Victoria will require mandatory pre-commitment limits and carded play, putting the power back into the hands of patrons while also ensuring that money is tracked – helping to stop money laundering through gaming venues.
Load up limits – how much money an individual can put into an EGM at a time – will be capped at $100, down from the current limit of $1,000, helping people make informed decisions about their spending, change their behaviour and reduce the amount that can be lost.
“These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm preventions and anti-money laundering measures in Australia – we owe it to all Victorians to take this stance and help those experiencing harm turn their lives around,” said Premier Andrews.
“I look forward to the implementation working group’s input and effort.”
By mid-2024, mandatory closure periods will be enforced for all gaming machine areas in a venue, except the casino, between 4am and 10am. This will address evidence showing some venues are implementing staggered opening hours to allow users to move between venues in one area to continue gambling, the Victorian Government says.
The Government will also make it mandatory for all new EGMs to spin at a rate of three seconds per game, slowing the pace of the game down and limiting the amount that can be lost.
These combined reforms will keep pace with emerging technologies gaming machines are using, produce safer gambling environments and help patrons to take a break, it said in a statement.
Anyone affected by their own or someone else’s gambling can call Gambler’s Help 24/7 on 1800 858 858 to access confidential and free advice, support and referral.
