The Australian state of Victoria has approved the Gambling Legislation Amendment Bill 2024, a measure that would introduce mandatory carded play on all electronic gaming machines in hotels and clubs. The bill, which passed with 53 votes in favour and 25 against, will now proceed to the Legislative Council for further debate. 

An amendment proposed by the opposition to delay the bill until the government provided further evidence was rejected. With this, the state government has now the authority to impose new regulations on gaming machines, aiming to enhance consumer protection and combat problem gambling. 

Under the new rules, players will be required to insert a player card into a machine before they can play. This system will allow individuals to set predetermined spending limits, with a default cap of AU$50 (€31), although players will have the ability to adjust this amount.

New curbs on cash limits

Additionally, the bill proposes lowering the maximum cash load-in limit for gaming machines from AU$1,000 (€620) to AU$100 (€62) per transaction. Spin rates on machines will also be reduced, increasing the minimum time per spin from 2.3 seconds to 3 seconds in an effort to slow the pace of gambling.

A three-month trial of the carded play system will begin in mid-2025 at approximately 40 venues across the state. Following this pilot phase, the system will be rolled out across all gaming machines in Victoria by the end of 2025.

As the bill progressed, proponents highlighted its role in strengthening gambling harm prevention measures, positioning it as one of the most comprehensive reforms in the country. Support also came from groups advocating for stricter regulations to mitigate gambling-related risks.

Overregulation going too far?

However, during parliamentary discussions, some MPs raised concerns about its implementation, pointing out that Australia is already under significant pressure from increasing regulations in both the iGaming sector and land-based casino operations.

Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien argued that while the bill establishes a framework for carded play, it does not fully implement the system. He criticised the government for taking unilateral control over the reforms without providing Parliament with full details on their execution.

Meanwhile, Gippsland East MP Tim Bull warned that mandatory carded play could deter casual gamblers who engage in short gaming sessions while waiting for other activities, such as dining.

Despite these concerns, the bill has received strong support from government members and gambling reform advocates. The legislation follows recent gambling reforms in Victoria, including new oversight measures for Crown Melbourne and the introduction of uniform closing times for poker machine venues. 

Any new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission after December 2025 will also be required to comply with the updated spin rate regulations. The government insists that these reforms will protect consumers, reduce gambling-related harm, and promote responsible gaming practices across the state.

Source