Sweeping reforms to minimise harm from gaming machines

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) welcomes this announcement to strengthen and expand measures to reduce gambling-related harm.

The VGCCC has a legislative mandate to minimise harm caused by gambling, and the Victorian Government’s announced initiatives provide a strong foundation to reduce harm from gambling in venues.

Last month, the VGCCC released a position statement on harm, recognising unequivocally that gambling causes harm and that gambling operators have a duty to care and act to prevent causing harm to their customers and the broader community.

In summary, these measures include:

• mandatory carded play and pre-commitment
• $100 maximum load limits
• increasing the minimum spin rate to 3 seconds, up from 2.1 seconds
• standardised closing hours from 4am to 10am at every Victorian club and hotel.

Once these reforms are introduced into law, the VGCCC will closely monitor their implementation and will act to enforce them with our full regulatory powers.

These reforms will play an important role in protecting Victorian gamblers, their families and communities from gambling harm. Around 330,000 Victorians experience harm as a result of gambling each year, leading to financial distress, mental health issues and relationship issues.

The facts on the level of EGM losses

For the financial year ending 30 June 2023, $3.02 billion was lost on EGMs at venues in Victoria. For the same period approximately $2.6 billion was lost by players in Victoria across online, trackside and venue wagering services. These reforms will combat the harm generated by more than half the losses in Victoria to gambling each year.

Detailed data on player losses from EGMs is released monthly and includes gaming expenditure, the number of gaming venues and number of EGMs.

For further information on the Government reform announcement, see the Premier’s media release.