Victoria introduces gambling overhaul bill to curb harm and money laundering

The Victorian government has introduced an overhaul of gambling regulations, aiming to reduce harm and curb money laundering through poker machines. The reforms, part of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Precommitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, were introduced in parliament on Tuesday, seeking to set new standards for how poker machines operate in the state.  

Central to the changes is the reduction of the maximum amount gamblers can load into poker machines from AUD 1,000 to AUD 100. This limit is considerably stricter than New South Wales’ AUD 500 cap.

The new legislation also requires mandatory use of player cards, with gamblers setting pre-determined loss limits. The default loss limit, which can be adjusted by users, will start at $50, a figure established in collaboration with the Greens earlier this year.  

Gaming Minister Melissa Horne emphasized the importance of a phased approach to the rollout. Beginning in mid-2025, a pilot program involving approximately 40 venues will test the carded play technology. By 2027, all poker machines in the state must implement the carded play system.

Horne noted the complexity of the implementation process: “We’ve got more than 500 different venues across the state, and the technology varies from machine to machine. We’re making sure that we get that technology piece right so that it’s easy for people to sign up to.”  

The reforms also include a requirement for new poker machines approved after December 1, 2025, to have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game. This change, which slows games down by 40%, aims to reduce financial losses. Additionally, gaming areas in pubs and clubs must close between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., although Crown Melbourne is exempt from this rule.  

Crown Melbourne, which has already implemented mandatory carded play following a royal commission in 2021, remains under scrutiny. The commission found that the casino engaged in unethical and illegal practices, leading to the appointment of a special manager to oversee its operations. Despite these findings, the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) allowed Crown to retain its license earlier this year.  

Tim Costello, a prominent gambling reform advocate, praised the reforms as a step in the right direction. “Mandatory carded play is the long overdue reform that was recommended by the productivity commission in both 1999 and 2010 – but it has always been defeated by the power of the predatory pokies industry,” he said.  

The reforms come amid concerns over gambling losses in Victoria, which total AUD 3 billion annually, with disproportionate impacts on lower socioeconomic communities. “Less than 10% of the population plays poker machines, but they’re losing more than ever before,” Horne said. “There’s something wrong.”  

The Victorian government’s measures position the state as a leader in gambling reform in Australia, while other states, such as Tasmania, have delayed similar changes.