The Victorian Government has introduced a new gambling reform bill to Parliament that would impose spending limits on pokies.
It’s a revival of reforms first proposed in 2023.
The bill would also reduce the number of games people can play per minute on newly-bought pokies, and mandate shutdown periods for gambling at pubs and clubs.
The Labor Government has a majority in the Lower House but not the Upper House, so will need the support of the Opposition or independents to pass the bill.
Gambling reforms
Under the bill, Victoria would trial “carded play” across some venues next year.
Patrons would be required to use a card to operate pokies at these venues.
The cards would keep track of players’ gambling history and allow them to set limits on how much they can lose in a session before they begin to play.
The amount of money players could load onto a machine at any one time would also be capped at $100, down from the current limit of $1,000.
Any new pokies put in venues in the state would need to be 40% slower than current pokies, with a minimum spin rate of three seconds per game. This would reduce the number of games people can play per minute.
Gaming areas in pubs and clubs would be shut between 4am and 10am. This would not apply to casinos.
Government
The Government said almost 30% of Victorians who use gaming machines have reported experiencing gambling harm — an estimated 330,000 people.
Victorian Gaming Minister Melissa Horne said the reforms are aimed at protecting gamblers and “everyone around them”.
“These laws will save lives and livelihoods by giving control back to patrons,” Horne said.
Opposition
The Victorian Opposition said it is open to supporting efforts to address problem gambling in the state.
Shadow Gaming Minister Danny O’Brien said that new revisions to the bill would require “due consideration before coming to a position.”
“There is no doubt that gambling harm is a problem in our community… The Government announced these reforms nearly 18 months ago and has been very slow to actually bring this legislation forward,” he said.
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