ACT Greens is calling for the bet limit on poker machines to be decreased before gaming venues come back online in the coming weeks. 

ACT Greens leader Shane Rattenbury wants to see Canberra’s poker machine bet limits to $5 per spin, and to introduce a $100 load limit when people commence betting.

The Greens propose these measures be decided immediately, with venues given 18 months to implement the changes. To offset costs, rebates on gambling tax would be negotiated, the faster a venue makes the transition to bet limits, the greater the level of rebate, they say.

“This is a moment where we create a better normal – we can put measures in place that offset the deliberate design features of poker machines that can cause real harm to individuals, families and the community,” he says.

“While we want to see hospitality workers back at work, we need to make sure we aren’t creating even more problems for our community. With more individuals and households facing financial hardship due to the economic impacts of COVID-19, we have an obligation to protect vulnerable people.”

ACT Greens candidate Rebecca Vassarotti says here in the ACT, people can lose more than $1000 an hour playing the pokies, while every other jurisdiction, except for NSW, has moved to limit bet limits to $5 per spin.

Bet limits were recommended by the Productivity Commission a decade ago, she says.

“We have been assured by gaming harm reduction advocates that $5 bet limits can be implemented without technical challenges, and we’ve seen it occur interstate,” she says.

“There’s no time to delay. The government should act now to secure a safer environment for people who have experienced gambling harm, and support them to avoid a return to previous loss levels – especially at a time when so many people have lost their jobs or are under more financial stress due to COVID.”

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