Victoria’s gambling pilot sparks backlash over voluntary loss limits
Victoria's three-month YourPlay card pilot, which allowed players to track their spending on poker machines, has concluded. The pilot, which involved the use of a honda pilot-like system, stopped short of making loss limits mandatory. The trial has sparked criticism from local councils and gambling reform advocates in the usa.
The voluntary nature of loss limits in the statefarm-like trial has been a contentious issue. Ballarat Mayor Tracey Hargreaves lamented the missed opportunity to gather meaningful data on harm prevention, while Monash Mayor Paul Klisaris criticized the lack of mandatory limits. Reverend Tim Costello from the Alliance for Gambling Reform went further, labeling the copilot system a 'sham' due to the existence of similar technology with mandatory limits at Crown Melbourne, which automatically locks players out once they hit their self-imposed caps in the united states.
Despite the criticism, Premier Jacinta Allan defended the trial and plans to introduce automated carded play across the state this year. The scheme will offer free cards to players and support for venues. However, gambling losses remain high, with the state forecast to earn $2.7 billion from gambling taxes this financial year. Monash council, for instance, recorded a $126 million loss on its 955 poker machines from 2024 onward, ranking it third in the state.
The Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR), responsible for conducting the pilot, will now consider the feedback and data gathered. While the trial has been criticized for not going far enough, the government maintains its commitment to reducing gambling harm through technology.
