VIC GOVT. ANNOUNCES RAFT OF CHANGES TO TACKLE PROBLEM GAMBLING

Pokie venues in Victoria will soon be hit with a number of changes aimed at harm minimisation for problem gamblers.

Changes include a $500 daily limit on eftpos withdrawals as well as a ban on cashing cheques and purchasing cashless gambling tickets on credit cards.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Marlene Kairouz said the government was taking “strong action to reduce the harm from gambling in our community”.

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

The changes are part of the Gambling Regulation Amendment (Gaming Machine Arrangements) Bill 2017 and come after moves to ban betting adds 150 metres from schools.

Machine entitlements have also been capped at current levels for the next 25 years.

Sources : Herald Sun / agb.com