Key Moments:
- The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024 has been passed by Victoria’s Parliament on 27 May 2024
- Mandatory registration and use of personal gaming cards will be required for access to electronic gaming machines
- The planned trial phase for carded play was postponed beyond the original May–June 2025 window, with stakeholders requesting additional preparation time
New Standards for Player Registration and Data Monitoring
Victoria’s legislative body passed the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2024. This decision marks a major shift in how pubs and clubs regulate gaming machine activity. Under the new law, every player must register and use a personal gaming card before accessing an electronic gaming terminal.
This carded play approach aligns offline gambling venues with long-established online standards. It also helps users track their spending and playing time more easily. Regulators believe this access empowers gamblers to set limits and, as a result, increases transparency and personal control.
Regulatory Oversight and Harm Minimization
Officials say the new policy will allow regulators to monitor player activity more accurately across all venues. This improvement strengthens oversight for responsible gambling and anti-money-laundering efforts. They also expect the card-based data to support harm-reduction programs and help detect irregular or illicit activity more effectively.
These changes come at a time when gambling participation remains high across Australia. Players continue to show strong interest in both machine-based and online gambling. Because of this steady popularity, many groups are now calling for updated safeguards that match evolving consumer habits.
Testing Phase Adjusted Following Stakeholder Consultation
The legislative framework is now in place, but officials have postponed the initial pilot of the pre-commitment and carded play system beyond the previous May–June 2025 target. They made this change after venue operators, technology partners, and regulators requested more time to prepare for a smooth rollout.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) explained that the upcoming test phase will provide critical insights, potentially serving as a model for jurisdictions contemplating similar reforms. The commission has stated that further regulations and official guidance will precede implementation, and that an updated schedule will be released following stakeholder engagement.
Operational Changes for Gaming Machines
A major operational update will soon take effect: all electronic gaming machines in Victoria must comply with a new minimum spin rate of three seconds per game, up from the previous 2.14 seconds. This nearly 40 percent increase is intended to slow down gameplay, affording players more time to consider each bet and reducing the speed of losses.
| Aspect | Previous Standard | New Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Spin Rate | 2.14 seconds | 3 seconds |
Outlook and Potential for Broader Adoption
Authorities have emphasized that the changes are meant to bolster player safety and accountability, not to diminish recreational enjoyment. By enabling greater oversight and personal limit-setting, the carded play model aims to align with public expectations regarding transparency and consumer protection.
Market observers suggest that, pending positive results from Victoria’s implementation, the card-based controls could attract interest from regulators across Australia. As gambling participation remains strong, both domestically and internationally, government agencies are signaling their intent to keep legislative frameworks responsive to technological and behavioral developments.
These new requirements signal a pivotal recalibration of Victoria’s gambling framework, seeking to balance sector performance with enhanced protections for players and the wider community.
- Author
Daniel Williams
