The Victorian government has officially passed the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2025, marking a crucial advancement in gambling regulations. Under the new law, poker machine players will be required to use a player card that enables them to set personal loss limits and track their gambling history, thus fostering responsible gambling practices.
**Minister for Casino, Gaming, and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne stated:**
“Almost 30% of Victorians who play gaming machines experience gambling harm. These laws will save lives and livelihoods by giving control back to patrons. Gambling harm has consequences, not just for the person gambling but for everyone around them.”
Although the bill has been sanctioned, the deployment of the carded play system has been temporarily paused. This pause will allow time for the identification of the most effective technological solutions and for consultation with gambling industry experts and stakeholders.
**The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission noted:**
“Further ministerial directions and supporting regulations will be developed for consideration, along with consultation with industry and stakeholders on timelines for the future implementation of the trial before it commences.”
In addition to these measures, new regulations effective from December 2025 will slow down the operation of newly approved poker machines. The new requirement mandates that each machine’s spin must last no less than three seconds, effectively reducing the spin speed by 40%. This change aims to mitigate rapid play, which significantly contributes to gambling harm.