Greater Dandenong City Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of an electronic gaming machine precommitment trial.
The trial, which begins in September, will mean patrons at select venues will have to use a Your Play card to play electronic gaming machines and can set limits. This will help put the power back into the hands of patrons and prevent money laundering. Cards can be obtained on-the-spot in venues.
Compulsory account-based play will offer people more control over their gambling habits and provide them with greater insight into how much they spend gambling.
The announcement was made a week after Council released the Review of Gambling Issues for Greater Dandenong report, which highlighted the harms of electronic gaming machines.
“Any initiative to reduce gambling harm within our community is a welcome step,” Deputy Mayor, Cr Sophie Tan said.
“Our municipality has the fifth highest number of electric gambling machines in Victoria – that’s 928 machines across 14 clubs. Our community lost $138 million to electric gambling machines in 2023/24. That is an average of $378,000 each day and is equal to the cost of feeding 46,000 children for one
year.”
“In addition to electronic gambling machine losses, an estimated $199 million is lost each year to other legal forms of gambling, bringing the total annual gambling loss to approximately $337 million.”
“Our Council has had a strong and consistent commitment to minimising gambling-related harm. We remain dedicated to supporting all initiatives aimed at its prevention. We look forward to seeing the results of this trial.”
“We also encourage the Victorian Government to reconsider the timetable for poker machine reforms. It is long overdue.”
To view the Review of Gambling Issues for Greater Dandenong report, visit our website.