The Victorian government has introduced a legislative framework to roll out carded play on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) across the state, aiming to reduce gambling-related harm and enhance player protections. The reforms, encapsulated in the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024, are part of the government’s broader efforts to address financial crime and problem gambling.
Under the proposed legislation, carded play will require patrons to use a player card to operate gaming machines, according to Club Management. The system will allow individuals to set pre-commitment limits on how much they are willing to lose and provide access to data on their gambling activity. By enabling greater control, the government hopes to minimize the risks associated with gambling.
“Almost 30 per cent of Victorians who play gaming machines experience gambling harm. These laws will save lives and livelihoods by giving control back to patrons,” stated Melissa Horne, Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation. She added, “Gambling harm has consequences, not just for the person gambling but for everyone around them.”
Additional Measures to Mitigate Harm
Beyond carded play, the Bill introduces a range of measures aimed at improving gambling safety:
- Reduced Cash Load Limits: Starting December 2024, players will only be able to load a maximum of $100 onto a gaming machine, down from the current $1,000.
- Slower Spin Rates: From December 2025, all new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) must have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game, reducing game speed by approximately 40%.
- Mandatory Closure Hours: Gaming rooms in clubs and hotels must remain closed daily from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m., a rule introduced in August 2024. The reforms will be piloted in mid-2025 at up to 40 venues before being implemented statewide. The government retains authority to mandate participation in the trial.
Mixed Industry Reactions
While the Victorian government has framed the measures as essential for tackling gambling harm, industry stakeholders have expressed varying levels of support and concern. Community Clubs Victoria CEO Andrew Lloyd voiced skepticism about the lack of evaluation data from Crown Melbourne’s existing carded play system, which was mandated following the 2021 Royal Commission.
“Where is the evaluation data? From a project management perspective, you need to undertake an evaluation… before you continue trotting that out for hotels and clubs,” Lloyd said. He also highlighted logistical challenges, adding, “What we’re talking about is a wide-area network of hundreds of venues across the state. To my knowledge, that has not been done anywhere else in the world.”
Tom Francis, managing director of Francis Venues, shared his concerns about the practicality of the rollout but emphasized his willingness to collaborate with the government to optimize outcomes for both patrons and the industry.
On the other hand, Crown Melbourne welcomed the reforms. CEO Mike Volkert, cited by Financial Review said: “Crown has led by example, demonstrating that carded play is essential to developing a safer gaming environment.” Crown Melbourne reported that over 400,000 guests had registered for carded play within the past year.
Future Outlook
The reforms place Victoria at the forefront of gambling regulation in Australia, setting stricter rules than other states, including New South Wales. Industry groups such as the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) Victoria have pledged to support evidence-based harm reduction strategies, with CEO Paddy O’Sullivan stating, “We await the second reading of the Bill in the Parliament tomorrow to provide further analysis.”
Meanwhile, Endeavour Group expressed optimism about the role of technology in harm minimization, referencing successful trials of facial recognition technology in South Australia. As Victoria moves forward with these reforms, all eyes will be on the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of carded play in reducing gambling harm and improving financial crime prevention across the state.
