Poker machines in the ACT may by subject to lower minimum bet and load-up limits under proposed changes to reduce harm from gambling.
Opening consultation on the Justice and Community Safety Directorate’s discussion paper Lowering bet and credit limits for electronic gaming machines, Minister for Gaming, Shane Rattenbury said the Territory was also proposing the establishment of a central monitoring system (CMS).
“Government has committed to lower the bet limit on ACT poker machines from $10 to $5 and to introduce a $100 load-up limit,” Mr Rattenbury said.
He said reducing the bet limit would halve the amount of money a person could theoretically spend one hour of play from $12,000 to $6,000.
“These changes will slow down the speed at which money can be spent,” the Minister said.
Mr Rattenbury said that currently, ACT law did not set a credit limit for electronic gaming machines which he said in practice meant ACT electronic gaming machines had a credit limit of either $10,000, $7,500 or $5,000.
He said the new credit limit would also introduce breaks in play that “may allow a person to reconsider whether they want to keep spending.”
“To ensure the most cost-effective roll out this reform, we propose a ‘central monitoring system (CMS)’, which is an IT system that connects gaming machines to a network to allow for their monitoring and control,” he said.
“A CMS can also deliver other benefits, including enhanced monitoring and control of poker machines, improved oversight for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing purposes, and reduced administrative burden for both clubs and Government.”
Mr Rattenbury said initial estimates suggested installation costs for the CMS of $11-18 million.
“In 2018-19, nearly $2 billion was spent on poker machines by the ACT Community, with $166.9 million retained by venues after paying out winnings,” he said.
“In that context, we believe a sustainable path can be agreed to fund this transition.”
The Minister said feedback on the proposal, open until 3 June, would help shape reform to the laws covering poker machines in the Territory.
The Directorate’s 13-page Discussion Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
