Pokies in Victoria: Problem gambling fear as cash cap doubles

VICTORIA’S cap on cash pay outs on poker machines has been doubled, prompting fears it will send problem gamblers straight back to the slots.

Anti-gambling groups have flagged concerns about changes to pokies laws. Picture: Supplied

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VICTORIA’S cap on cash payouts on poker machines has been doubled, prompting fears it will send problem gamblers straight back to the slots.

Punters can now pocket up to $2000 in instant cash winnings, up from $1000, under gambling law changes that passed parliament last month.

An industry source told the Herald Sun venues were “doing cartwheels” because they could increase their profits by more than 15 per cent.

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Premier Daniel Andrews previously advocated for the lower threshold. Picture: AAP/Mal Fairclough

Since 2007, venues have paid out winnings above $1000 by cheque. Premier Daniel ­Andrews, then gaming minister, said at the time that this measure reduced the risk of “cash being immediately reinvested into gaming machines”.

From today, payouts greater than $2000 can be made via cheque or electronic transfer, provided the money cannot be accessed within 24 hours.

Alliance for Gambling Reform director Tim Costello said the “greedy” change would boost the government’s tax grab on pokies profits.

The tax is tipped to pour more than $1 billion into government coffers in 2017-18.

“Daniel Andrews is behaving as a predatory premier,” Mr Costello said. “This is against every recommendation for harm minimisation.

“A cash payout would mean they go straight back.”

Anti-gambling groups have flagged concerns about changes to pokies laws. Picture: Supplied

Amendments to gaming laws, passed on November 30, doubled the term of pokie ­licences to 20 years and locked in pokies numbers until 2042.

Current licences had not been due to expire for five years, and the government has been criticised for rushing through the changes.

Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Marlene Kairouz said increasing the cap on payouts would deter those who kept gambling to avoid getting a cheque.

“We have brought in sweeping reforms to tackle harm from gambling, making Victoria one of the strictest ­jurisdictions in Australia,” Ms Kairouz said.

“We are capping pokies numbers across the state, limiting daily cash withdrawals in venues, and restricting betting advertising in our public spaces,” she said.

Greens MP Colleen Hartland said the pokies changes were “outrageous”.

“The Bill just indicates that the government has no idea how to deal with problem gamblers,” she said.

“The government just doesn’t want to face up to the reality and the destructive ­nature of pokies.”

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