By Vanessa Cavasinni, editor Australian Hotelier
In another set of reforms to gaming in Victoria, the State Government has announced further restrictions to EGM usage.
The Andrews Government has announced that EFTPOS cash withdrawals from venues with EGMS will be restricted to $500 within a 24-hour period and that cashing cheques at venues will be banned. The restrictions will be implemented in regions deemed most affected by gambling.
These additional reforms were announced three days after The Hon Marlene Kairouz MP declared that betting advertising will be banned near schools, and on roads and public transport. In July, the Government also announced a freeze on the number of EGMs in the state for 25 years, and capped the number of EGMS any one venue could possess at 105.
The restrictions are part of the Gambling Regulation Amendment (Gaming Machine Arrangements) Bill 2017. The amendments will also target cashless gaming by:
- Banning the purchase of cashless gaming tickets or credits with a credit card
- Banning any encouragement of players receiving winnings in the form of cashless gaming tickets or credits
- Creating new powers to impose limits on cashless gaming – such as limits on the amount that can be loaded on to a card or ticket and the amount that can be exchanged for cash.
“We have already taken strong action to reduce the harm from gambling on our community – and these measures go even further,” stated Minister Kairouz.
“We are capping pokies numbers across the state, limiting daily cash withdrawals in venues and restricting betting advertising in our public spaces.”
“This is about protecting people and helping those who choose to gamble stick to their limits.”
Australian Hotelier reached out to AHA Victoria and a few of Victoria’s largest gaming operators, who all chose not to comment at this time.