Gambling limits imposed on casino after damning inquiry
Gamblers at Melbourne’s Crown casino will be forced to set limits on poker machines and stick to a 24-hour cash limit of $1000 in reforms following an inquiry which found illegal behaviour including money laundering.
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A package of reforms passed Victoria’s parliament on Tuesday, in response to recommendations from the royal commission into the gambling giant.
The inquiry found Crown engaged in a range of illegal and exploitative behaviour, including facilitating money laundering, although it stopped short of recommending the company lose its casino license.
The Greens proposed to amend the laws so the pre-commitments applied at gaming venues across the state, but the proposal did not get up.
Over the 2021/22 financial year, Victorians lost more than $2.2 billion on pokies, with the average Victorian losing about $2800.
The mandatory pre-commitment for the casino’s pokies is expected to come into effect by the end of 2023, but the full reforms must be implemented by December 2025 at the latest.
Victoria’s parliament is sitting for the final time this week ahead of the November state election.
-AAP
