Victoria’s Carded Play Legislation Passed, Trial Postponed: What It Means for Gaming Industry

Victoria has recently passed significant gambling reform legislation aimed at introducing carded play and implementing limits on spin rates in gaming venues. Despite the passage of the Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2025 by the state parliament, the trial of carded play has been postponed for additional assessment.

The new legislation mandates the introduction of a carded play system, where patrons will be required to use a player card to operate gaming machines. This system will provide players with access to their gambling information and the ability to set limits on their losses. Additionally, any new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission from December 2025 must have a minimum spin rate of three seconds per game, effectively slowing down gameplay by 40% compared to current rates.

Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne emphasized the importance of these reforms in addressing gambling harm, stating that nearly 30% of Victorians who engage in gaming machine activities experience negative consequences. Horne believes that the new laws will empower patrons and help mitigate the social and economic impacts of gambling harm on individuals and their communities.

While the legislation has been passed, the implementation timeline for these reforms is yet to be determined. The Victorian government has decided to postpone the scheduled carded play trial to conduct further research on best practices and explore technology-neutral options to facilitate the scheme. The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission will work on developing supporting regulations and consult with industry stakeholders before setting a definitive timeline for the trial’s commencement.

The decision to delay the trial demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that the carded play system is effectively implemented and aligns with industry standards and stakeholder input. Stay tuned for further updates on the progression of Victoria’s gambling reforms.