The state government in Victoria, Australia, is set to implement stringent new restrictions on electronic gaming machines (EGMs) in venues such as clubs and pubs.

The second most populous state in the Oceanic nation announced these changes as part of the third reform column focused on the state’s gambling industry. This follows the heavily focused scrutiny that regulatory bodies have placed on casino operator Crown Resorts along with the inauguration of a new gambling regulator.

Focus on EGMs

The reforms aim to address mounting concerns that EGMs are being used for money laundering by implementing mandatory pre-commitment limits and “carded play” whereby a card is tagged every time it is used for gambling payments.

The regulations will see Victoria’s protective mechanisms become the strongest in the entire nation and are being installed as a component of an industry-wide reform coming into the state.

Bringing pubs and clubs up to standard

The changes being implemented will bring EGMs in venues additional to Crown Melbourne casinos, such as pubs, clubs, and hotels in line with the highest regulation.

The boost in tax revenue will be considerably significant as EGMs at these venues exceed ten times that of what is available at Crown casinos.

Additional regulations

The EGM load-up limit will fall significantly from A$1,000 to A$100 a change that regulators have designed to:

“Help players make informed decisions about their spending, change their behaviour and reduce the amount that can be lost.”

There will also be a mandatory shutdown between the hours of 4 am and 10 am enforced on EGMs, in the hopes of countering the staggering strategies these venues utilise to capitalise on drifting players. This will intriguing not apply to Crown casinos.

Slot machine spin rates will be increased to 2.1 seconds per game to a minimum of 3 seconds, reducing the momentum of play and limiting loss potential.

Industry consultation process

These reforms will be forced to undergo an industry consultation process which will examine key factors such as trials in other jurisdictions as well as “the experience of Crown Melbourne”.

These considerations may take until mid-2024 at the earliest, that is if the unlikely instance of the industry having no objections comes to light.

Despite this, Fran Thorn, the Victorian Gambling Commission Chair, has expressed the regulator’s unequivocal support of the new regulatory landscape and pledged to enforce the reforms comprehensively.

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