PRINCIPLES

1. Increased gambling has led to increased crime and public cost and must be properly regulated.

2. Governments are responsible for protecting the public from gambling harm through appropriate regulations and codes, rather than via self-regulation and voluntary codes of conduct.

3. Gambling harm is a major, multi-faceted public health issue that needs to be addressed because it negatively affects individuals, businesses, families and whole of community.

4. Governments should treat gambling as a health issue, and promote gambling harm minimisation strategies.

5. Children should be protected from exposure to gambling, gambling promotion or any content which may be seen to normalise related harmful behaviour.

6. Gambling regulation should be evidenced based. Gambling may impose a net cost on Victoria because of multiple externalities.

7. The state budget should not depend on gambling revenue.

8. The prevalence and costs of problem gambling are directly related to the accessibility and addictive characteristics of electronic gaming machines

9. Video games and mobile apps that employ micro-transactions for chance-based items or perks (such as loot boxes) should be treated as gambling and held to the same policies as gambling 

10. Pokies should be restricted to dedicated gambling venues, such as casinos.

11. Sport betting operators and agencies must be regulated under the same laws as all other forms of gambling, and prohibited from sponsoring sporting events or activities.

12. Australia has the highest level of gambling harm in the world due to an unprecedented access to gambling products and predatory practices of the industry.

AIMS

1. A substantial reduction in the proportion of the population with gambling problems by:
 a. Poker machines set at a $1 bet limit per spin, $20 machine load up limits, and $500 jackpot limits, as recommended by the Productivity Commission;
 b. Implementing mandatory pre-commitment for poker machines, and other gambling where applicable; and
 c. Capping cash winnings payable by machine at $100, and winnings payable by a cashier at $250, with additional winnings being payable by electronic funds transfer and transferred in a way that it is not available to the person for 24-hours after the transfer.
 d. A ban on provision of cash withdrawal facilities and services at pokies venues;
 e. a ban on all incentives, loyalty programs and perks associated with gambling.
 f. Imposing a substantial levy for entrance to casinos to participate in gambling.
 g. Provide timely and effective supports for individuals to self-exclude from gambling.

2. A systematic reduction in revenue derived from gambling, with set goals over time.

3. Evidence based harm minimisation and product safety measures to reduce gambling harm and to assist gamblers to limit their expenditure, by:
 a. Improving the regulation of the location and density of gambling venues;
 b. Increased funding to better inform state gambling policy and regulatory frameworks;
 c. Working closely with health practitioners, banks, and gambling support service providers to systematically collect gambling harm data;
 d. To continue to improve mandatory training and refreshers for gambling venue staff in line with emerging research.
 e. Work closely with banks and financial institutions to educate staff about gambling harm and having in place protocols for referring customers experiencing gambling harm;
 f. Investing in best-practice prevention, detection, early intervention, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for people experiencing gambling harm; and,
 g. Providing information to assist peers, friends and family members to better understand and address gambling harm.

4. Communities to be provided with factual information, in language, to dispel common misconceptions about gambling products and increasing public gambling awareness by:
 a. Influencing attitudes and social norms
 b. Promoting gambling help services
 c. Disseminating information and research to empower community participation in debate and decision making.

5. A ban on all gambling advertising

6. Tighter regulation and approval of new gaming machines, including support for local councils and communities to impose moratoriums.

7.  A planned reduction of poker machine licences in pubs and clubs leading to the elimination of poker machines in neighbourhoods, prioritising with the reduction of poker machines in low-socio-economic communities

8. National Standards to avoid interstate 'competition' undermining proper regulation.

9. Guarantee the gambling regulator's independence to minimise social and economic costs, and to protect consumers and the public interest.

10. To assess and address the full social and economic costs of gambling, including policing gambling-associated crime and money-laundering.

11. A ban on political donations from the gambling industry.

12. Gambling venues and managers who knowingly allow self-excluded patrons to gamble to be subject to meaningful penalties, including fines and loss of license.

13. The provision of effective public education on the impacts of gambling.

14. Mandatory and periodic training for gambling venue staff which explores the harms of gambling on people.

15. Support national regulation consistency around gambling advertising.

Gambling Policy as amended by the membership on 23 June 2024.