The Victoria State Government has discussed new laws requiring that gamblers at the Melbourne Crown Casino must set a fixed limit on their pokie losses at the casino.
The fixed limit is just one of 12 measures that the government looks set to approve from the 33 recommendations from the Royal Commission that looked into serious allegations of money laundering at the casino property.
The 12 recommendations were read in Parliament today by Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne and are set to be reviewed and read for a second time tomorrow.
Technology to enforce the limit and track the time and money spent at the casino does not yet exist, but the government has stated that it will give the casino until the end of 2023 to have the mandatory commitments for limits on pokie gambling in place. However, the casino will have until 2025 to implement all changes.
The limit for losses will be up to the patron and there are no plans to introduce affordability checks for individuals.
Speaking of the new laws, Minister Horne said.
“This is a world-first in a suite of reforms, it needs to be fully rolled out by no later than the end of 2025”.
Among the recommendations is a $1,000 cash transaction limit. This states that patrons can only make $1,000 in cash transactions in a 24-hour period. They must also provide valid ID if they wish to gamble more than $1,000 or collect winnings higher than the limit.
Further recommendations include a requirement that any person or entity that wants to own 5% or more of the casino must be approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission. The casino will also be made to pay for the implementation of all recommendations and any costs associated with the regulation of the property.
According to Minister Horne the new legislation is required to:
“ensure the disgraceful conduct uncovered by the Royal Commission will never happen again in Melbourne”
Crown was recently fined $80 million for its role in the illegal China Union Pay scheme that saw the casino profit by as much as $32 million from money laundering practices.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.