Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Problem gambling reforms

The Gillard Government today welcomed the support of the Parliament for its National Gambling Reform Bills.

The Government’s legislation sets out a package of reforms to help problem gamblers and their families, including voluntary pre-commitment on poker machines and $250 daily ATM limits in gaming venues (excluding casinos).

The Bills passed with a number of amendments:

  • Extending the start date for $250 daily ATM withdrawal limits to 1 February 2014.
  • Capping the supervisory levy at $10 million a year (indexed).
  • Giving poker machine manufacturers an extra year – to the end of 2014 – to introduce pre-commitment technology on all new machines.
  • Giving small venues with 11 – 20 poker machines an extra two years to get ready – from 2020 to 2022.
  • Giving venues with 21 or more poker machines an extra two years to get ready – from 2016 to 2018.
  • A range of other minor amendments were also passed.

The Government thanks the Independents and the Greens for their support of the legislation.

The Opposition said no to the legislation – they have no plan to help problem gamblers, just like they have no vision for the future of Australia.

This package of reforms delivers real action to help problem gamblers and their families.