Bill Passes Lower House, Moving to Legislative Council
The Victorian Parliament has made a significant stride toward gambling reform with the passage of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024. The bill cleared the Legislative Assembly with a 53-25 vote and now advances to the Legislative Council for further consideration.
Key Reform Elements
The legislation introduces mandatory pre-commitment systems for electronic gaming machines in hotels and clubs across Victoria. Players will need to insert cards into machines before they can operate them, allowing gamblers to make more informed spending decisions.
Minister Melissa Horne, overseeing Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, emphasized that the carded play concept aims to enhance patron awareness and improve spending management.
Additional measures include new spin rate limits, extending the time between spins from 2.3 to 3 seconds to slow gameplay and potentially reduce losses.
Implementation Timeline
The government plans to begin with a three-month trial in approximately 40 venues by mid-2025, before expanding the system statewide. The reform will operate under the existing YourPlay framework, which has already reduced maximum machine loading limits from AU$1,000 to AU$100.
Mixed Parliamentary Response
The bill has generated both support and criticism across party lines. Some MPs have shared personal experiences with gambling addiction to advocate for the reforms, while others express concerns about implementation details.
Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien criticized the approach, arguing the government is giving itself authority without providing Parliament clear implementation details or timelines.
The opposition’s attempt to halt the bill’s progression through a reasoned amendment was defeated, allowing the legislation to advance.
Broader Context
Victoria’s initiative reflects a growing national conversation about account-based gambling systems. Professor Sally Gainsbury from the University of Sydney’s Gambling Treatment & Research Clinic has advocated for similar transitions to account-based systems in New South Wales.
While each Australian state maintains separate gambling regulations, Victoria’s approach could provide valuable lessons for developing effective, responsible gambling frameworks nationwide.
