Victorian councils have expressed disappointment with the state government’s recent amendments to a gambling harm prevention trial, describing the changes as a “missed opportunity.” The trial, initially announced with mandatory requirements, has been altered to allow voluntary participation, sparking calls for a reversal.
The trial, which spans three months, is being conducted across 43 venues in the Monash, Greater Dandenong, and Ballarat council areas. Players are required to use a YourPlay card, designed to track their spending and time on electronic gaming machines (EGMs). Originally, the government mandated that players set loss limits, but this requirement was relaxed shortly after the trial’s announcement in July.
Former Premier Daniel Andrews had pledged a crackdown on problem gambling, promising mandatory preset limits, a move that was initially welcomed by gambling reform advocates. However, the recent changes have led to criticism from local government leaders.
Local Councils Voice Discontent
Paul Klisaris, Mayor of the City of Monash, expressed dissatisfaction with the trial’s current form. “We are disappointed the Victorian Government did not include mandatory and binding loss limits in their trial, and we do not support it given this omission,” he stated. Monash residents experienced losses of $126 million across 955 machines in the 2024-25 financial year, ranking third highest in Victoria according to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC).
In Ballarat, Mayor Tracey Hargreaves welcomed the trial but criticized the absence of mandatory carded play. “This represents a missed opportunity to gather meaningful early insights into the potential harm-prevention benefits of mandatory carded play,” she noted. Ballarat holds the second-highest number of EGMs in regional Victoria, with 652 machines.
Meanwhile, the City of Greater Dandenong has chosen to continue supporting the trial, despite a council motion to withdraw. Mayor Jim Memeti stated, “We believe that our support will allow us to better influence the outcomes of the trial, including binding limits being set as soon as possible.” The Dandenong municipality, with 928 machines, recorded $141 million in player losses for the same financial year.
Existing Measures and Expert Opinions
The introduction of mandatory limits on time and money at Crown Melbourne followed the 2021 royal commission, where players are locked out once they reach their self-imposed caps. Reverend Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, criticized the trial as a “sham,” arguing that the technology already proves effective at Crown.
“This is a cosmetic trial to look as if the government is keeping its promise to roll it out across the state,” Costello remarked.
Crown Casino reported that over 665,000 people have signed up for the scheme, highlighting that carded play provides players with more information about their habits and promotes informed choices.
Financial Implications and Government Response
The state government is projected to earn $2.7 billion from gambling taxes this financial year, with expectations of continued growth. Critics like Costello accuse the government of delaying long-term reforms, impacting families and children the most.
“Those who are suffering the effects, and it’s particularly families and children, will go on suffering because both sides of politics are failing,” he said.
Reforms such as slower spin rates and a cap on gaming machines until 2042 have been implemented, but the trial’s changes have raised questions about the government’s commitment to gambling reform. Enver Erdogan, the minister for casino, gaming, and liquor, affirmed the trial as a step towards a future account-based play system.
The state opposition, however, opposes a broader rollout of accounts-based play, with Shadow Minister Tim McCurdy arguing that it unfairly targets smaller venues.
“The Allan Labor government is penalising all EGM operators across Victoria for Crown’s ‘non-compliance,'” McCurdy stated.
The trial, which began in September, is scheduled to conclude in November. As the debate continues, councils and reform advocates remain hopeful for a reevaluation of the trial’s framework to better address gambling harm.
