Victoria Implements Mandatory Card-Based Gaming Rules, Postpones Pilot Phase.

The Australian state of Victoria has postponed a trial of carded play across gambling venues despite the recent passage of legislation that mandates its future use.

The Gambling Legislation Amendment (Pre-commitment and Carded Play) Bill 2025 successfully passed through the state Parliament on Tuesday.

This legislation establishes the foundation for a compulsory pre-commitment system, known as “carded play,” for gaming machines across Victoria. Eventually, patrons will need to use a player card to start a gaming machine, allowing them to monitor their gambling activities and set restrictions on their potential losses.

Additionally, in a continuous reform initiative, any new gaming machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) from December 2025 onward will have a minimum spin rate of three seconds per game, a change that constitutes a 40% slowdown from the current rate of 2.14 seconds.

Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, Melissa Horne, emphasized the significance of these changes, stating: “Almost 30% of Victorians who use gaming machines suffer from gambling harm. By granting control back to the patrons, these laws aim to safeguard lives and livelihoods.”

“Gambling harm impacts not only the individual gambler but also everyone linked to them. This legislation offers crucial protections for users of gaming machines and their families,” she added.

### Victoria’s Carded Play Trial Postponed

Following the legislative approval, changes to the implementation timeline of these reforms are necessary; however, the Victorian government has also announced a delay in the previously planned carded play trial.

The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission explained that the postponement allows for a review of best practices on a national level and the investigation of technology-neutral solutions to evaluate and implement the program effectively.

“Further ministerial directions and regulatory frameworks will be developed for evaluation, along with consultations with industry stakeholders regarding the timeline for future trials before their initiation,” stated the VGCCC.

Conclusively, Victoria has adopted gambling reform laws introducing mandatory carded play and setting new limits on the spin rates of gaming machines.