New-announced measures to reduce pokies harm have been welcomed by the Alliance for Gambling Reform.
With Casey reporting a huge net expenditure of $146,366,433.68 in the past 12 months, the new limits may help to lessen the amount of cash lost by players each year.
The expenditure reported for the 12 months between July 2019 and June 2020 was substantially lower, at $98,000,778.71.
The figures continued to rise during the pandemic period, with 2021-2022 reporting $114,664,060.26 in expenditure.
City of Casey Chair of Administrators, Noelene Duff PSM said the council is “committed” to “practical and impactful” measured for curbing gambling harm.
“Earlier this year we signed a joint letter to Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews expressing our concerns, and called on the Victorian Government to seize upon the national momentum for progressive gambling reform to protect our communities, and this includes the introduction of mandatory cashless pre-commitment cards.” she said.
“Council is currently developing a Gambling Harm Minimisation Policy, a commitment made as part of our Health & Wellbeing Strategy 2021–25.
“We take a public health approach to the issue, focusing on primary prevention, education, and support for those most vulnerable to its impacts. As part of our policy development, we will continue to identify measures that will minimise gambling harm in our local context.”
Premier Daniel Andrews on 16 July announced mandatory pre-commitment limits and cards for all gaming machines.
Gamblers’ ‘load-up’ limits will also drop from $1000 to $100, EGM spin rates will slow to three seconds a game, and all pokie venues except Crown Casino will close between 4am-10am.
“These reforms will provide the strongest gambling harm preventions and anti-money laundering measures in Australia – we owe it to all Victorians to take this stance and help those experiencing harm turn their lives around,” Mr Andrews said.
The mandatory pre-commitment, carded play and load up limits will be introduced subject to thorough consultation with industry through an implementation working group.
The mandatory closure periods will be enforced by mid-2024.
Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello said the “significant” reforms were long awaited.
“These reforms appear to be very significant, especially the introduction of mandatory carded play with set loss limits of no more than $100 a day,” Rev. Costello said.
“We still need to see all of the details, but this will go a long way towards minimising gambling harm in our community as well as reducing the huge amounts of dirty money being laundered through poker machines.”
According to the Government, an estimated 330,000 Victorians experience harm from gambling each year.
Dr Charles Livingstone, Associate Professor and Head of Gambling and Social Determinants Unit at Monash University said the announcement is “very welcome”.
“It will do a great deal to prevent avoidable harm, and it will provide those who wish to use poker machines with a powerful tool to manage their gambling expenditure – both for time and money,” he said.
“This will certainly reduce the uptake of harmful gambling habits and the subsequent disasters that can flow from this – including financial, relationship, mental and physical health, and criminal issues.
“Unfortunately, no timeline has been announced for the major reforms – including the pre-commitment system.”
Dr Livingstone said this is “surprising, given that the voluntary YourPlay system, already operating across all Victorian pokies, could readily be adapted to a universal pre-commitment system”.
“This could be achieved rapidly,” he said.
The government will work with the gambling industry extensively through the proposal, and Dr Livingtone fears this leaves the government susceptible to the “highly skilled influencing” of harmful industries.
“The government should ensure that gambling industry involvement does not slow down the implementation of this overdue development,” he said.
“I appreciate that the government feels the need to consult with industry.
“However, the situation is a little like consulting with a fox on the design of the new henhouse.”
