Carded gaming Bill proposes to reform EGM play in Victoria
The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 (Vic) (Bill) was read in the Legislative Assembly for a second time on 27 November 2024. The Bill is the vehicle through which the Allan government proposes to implement significant reforms to the conduct of electronic gaming machines (EGMs) or “pokies” in gaming venues throughout Victoria.
Author: Daniel Lovecek, Principal / Lorna Reid, Associate
It comes at a time when EGM mandatory carded play and pre-commitment are subject to scrutiny and uncertainty in other states. We refer to Tasmania’s recently announced moves to indefinitely delay the implementation of such technology and the New South Wales government advising that it will take a considered approach in evaluating the recently delivered report of the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform.
We have summarised the key changes proposed in the Bill below and will keenly track its progress. In many ways, important details remain to be determined, and the government has indicated that they will only be finalised following the conduct of proposed pilots and further consultation with industry and community stakeholders. Others will be prescribed by regulations to be made at a later date.
Timing of reforms
At this time, key dates for implementation milestones remain to be determined, although the government has indicated that:
(a) as a first step, it is expected that a pilot of carded play will take place across approximately 40 venues in mid-2025 for a period of 3 months;
(b) if the pilot is successful, it is expected that carded play will be introduced on all poker machines across Victoria by the end of 2025. We note that mandatory carded play has been in effect at Crown Casino since October 2023; and
(c) following an evaluation of the carded play implementation which should occur by the end of 2026, additional requirements will be considered. These will include whether it is appropriate to continue with non-binding pre-commitment limits.
Player cards, accounts and load limits
The Bill establishes the requirement for carded play in gaming venues. This means that customers will have to insert a player card into an EGM for it to operate. The card will identify the player and their pre-commitment limits, such as their loss limit or time limit.
Venue operators will need to ensure that the player cards they issue to customers meet the prescribed requirements and, if they fail to do so, will be liable for a $23,710.80 fine. The Bill provides for regulations to be made detailing these requirements at a later date.
It will be an offence for a venue operator to allow someone to play an EGM without a player card or to issue a card without proper verification of that person’s identity. Each offence carrying a fine of $23,710.80. The means of identify verification remains to be set by regulation.
The Minister will have the ability to direct the monitoring licensee to ensure that players cannot play on an EGM without first establishing a player account which will be used for a pre-commitment system.
It has also been announced that from December 2025, the amount of money people can load onto an EGM at any time will be reduced to $100, down from $1,000.
Spin rates of EGMs
Clause 5 of the Bill requires slower spin rates for new EGMs. This is a harm minimisation measure to slow the pace of the game with the intention of reducing the speed of gambling losses. The current gaming machine spin rate in Victoria is 2.14 seconds.
Under the Bill, any new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) after 1 December 2025 must have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game – a 40 per cent reduction in spin rate. If a venue or casino operator is found to have allowed a person to play a machine with a faster spin rate than is allowed, they will be fined $3,951.80.
Identification required for pay outs of $2,000 or more
The Bill will also prohibit a venue operator from paying out, or allowing another person to pay out, accumulated credits of A$2,000.00 or more without verifying the player’s identity. This elevates the existing operational obligation enforced by the VGCCC to a legislative requirement. The fine for a breach of this provision will be $23,710.80 per offence (based on the current value of penalty units in Victoria).
Loyalty schemes
The Bill empowers the Minister to direct a loyalty scheme provider or a venue operator that offers a loyalty scheme to provide loyalty scheme information to the Minister of the VGCCC for the purpose of reconciling data with the pre-commitment system. This includes information that identifies, or is capable of identifying, a person who is or was a participant in the loyalty scheme. It will be an offence not to provide this information when directed to do so, carrying a $3,951.80 fine.
The Bill gives the Minister flexibility to commence this section on different dates for different areas of the State.
Senet will publish updated information regarding the Bill as it progresses through the legislative process. If you have any questions regarding the Bill or the conduct of EGMs more broadly, please don’t hesitate to contact the Senet team.
