Australians who play pokies at Crown casino must put a maximum limit on how much they are prepared to lose, under new laws going before Victoria’s parliament on Tuesday.
The measures were recommended by the royal commission into the casino following a string of damning revelations about the casino’s conduct.
Gamblers at Crown Casino will face a mandatory cap to play the pokies.Credit: Jason South
A cash cap of $1000 every 24 hours will also be introduced to tackle money laundering at the casino and those who gamble more than that will need to use casino-issued cards.
“Some of the strongest protections in the world will now be in place at Melbourne’s Crown casino – including mandatory pre-commitment,” Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne said.
The mandatory pre-commitment requirements forcing people to put a limit on how much they’re prepared to lose will need to be in place by the end of 2023.
Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne announced new legislation to tackle issues at Crown Casino. Credit: Joe Armao
However, the full reforms must be introduced at the casino by no later than December 2025.
This is to allow for the development of technology that does not currently exist, according to the government.
The remaining nine recommendations made by the royal commission will implement them over the next year using additional legislation, directions and administrative mechanisms.
The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission slugged Crown Resorts with a record $80 million fine in May because of revelations that came to light at the royal commission, including information about its practice of accepting Chinese bank cards at the Melbourne casino to fund gambling and disguising the transactions as hotel expenses.
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