Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup Prof Samantha Thomas, a gambling expert at Deakin University, said the crackdown on hours after 4am did not “stack up” against evidence, which shows a higher risk of problem gambling after midnight and particularly after 2am.
In Victoria, 361 venues – out of about 600 – have electronic gambling machines available after 2am, according to the VGCCC. The premier, Daniel Andrews, dubbed the proposed measures – which also include a new $100 load-up cap, mandatory pre-commitment limits and carded play – the toughest electronic gambling and anti-money laundering restrictions in Australia.īut harm reduction advocates have criticised the lack of clarity over the timeline and say the measures – which will not introduce cashless gaming – do not go far enough.
