ACT Gov forges ahead with proposals to cut gambling harm

• ACT Gov’s changes on gambling set to reduce gambling-related harm for Canberrans
• The measures include a vast package of safeguards that will reduce poker machine availability
• Players will have an easier time excluding, fewer opportunities to play, and rely on cashless, account-based gaming only

The ACT Government is looking to further reduce gambling-related harm as thousands of Canberrans, their families and the wider community suffer the fallout of excessive gambling.

ACT Government commits to reducing gambling-related harm

To this end, the government has united around a set of proposals that are designed to, lawmakers maintain, ensure that less harm is inflicted on vulnerable groups.

Specifically, the reforms target land-based venues, with the package including measures such as banning EFTPOS and ATM cash withdrawals at venues that have poker machines, or pokies as they are known colloquially.

Apart from this, the government is also looking to make account-based cashless gaming mandatory, as well as ease access to exclusion. More measures include reducing poker machine operating hours and slashing the total number to no more than 1,000 by 2045.

The government’s plan, however is not blindly trying to take out a significant revenue stream from these venues without offering them alternatives. This is why the proposals also seek to help clubs to develop sustainable business models that are not reliant on gambling revenue.

Naturally, there has been pushback from the industry. ClubsACT CEO Craig Shannon has spoken to local media outlets, arguing that his organization was fully committed to reducing gambling-related harm, but cautioned that the measures may not have their intended goal, and called on the government to publish any evidence it had to the contrary.

Mixed feelings about the proposed measures

Relationships Australia Canberra and Region CEO Lauren Anthens has welcomed the measures as a "strong and proactive" approach to reducing gambling harm.

Gambling harm spokeswoman, Rebecca Vassarotti MLA, however, saw in the current package a pared-down version of the reforms that should have been, and accused the current government of currying favors with the sector.

In the meantime, starting in July 2027, poker machines will operate 15 hours fewer each week, while gambling venues will be restricted from offering electronic gaming machines from Monday to Thursday from 2 am to 10 am, and Friday from 2 am to 9 am.

Other changes include a prohibition to operate these machines on Saturdays from 4 am to 9 am and Sundays from 4 am to 10 am.

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