ACT Advances Gambling Harm Reforms with Cashless Pokies Mandate, ATM Ban and Machine Reductions to 1,000 by 2045
The ACT bill mandates identity-verified cashless accounts, net loss limits, 15-minute mandatory breaks after one hour of play and a full ATM ban at gaming venues. Machine numbers must drop to 1,000 by 2045 via 500-authorisation surrenders every four years starting 2029. It responds to a 2024 survey showing over 58,000 adults experienced gambling harm.
SCCG Take — ACT clubs face concrete technology and capacity constraints that will compress gaming revenues over two decades. The structured transition timetable allows preparation but leaves little room to reverse the statutory reduction path.
The Australian Capital Territory has introduced legislation to impose account-based cashless gaming on all electronic machines, prohibit ATMs at venues and enforce a phased reduction in machine numbers. Minister for Gaming Reform Marisa Paterson tabled the Gaming Machine (Harm Prevention and Reduction) Amendment Bill 2026 in the Legislative Assembly on October 20 during Gambling Harm Action Week. The bill amends the Gaming Machine Act 2004 and remains under consideration.
Core Requirements and Implementation Timeline
The framework requires players to open identity-verified accounts, set net loss limits and obtain a player card before operating any machine. A mandatory 15-minute break follows every hour of play. Raising a loss limit triggers a 48-hour delay while reductions take effect immediately. Licensees commit an offence by issuing cards to children or permitting their use.
Current rules limiting ATM withdrawals to $250 per gaming day are replaced by an outright ban on ATMs at any premises with gaming machines. Total machine authorisations must fall to 1,000 by 2045 through compulsory surrender of 500 authorisations every four years, with the first round deferred until 2029. Account-based gaming and the ATM prohibition commence only after the minister issues written notice, affording clubs time to adapt systems and operations.
These steps rest on the 2024 ACT Gambling Survey, which found one in six adults—or more than 58,000 people—reported at least one gambling harm, with machines responsible for one third of the territory’s total burden. Consultation occurred through a Cashless Gaming Working Group involving clubs, researchers and the Gaming Technologies Association.
Stakeholder Views and East Coast Context
The Alliance for Gambling Reform welcomed the bill but urged mandatory loss limits, enforceable breaks and extended shutdown periods. As reported by Asia Gaming Brief, the measures add to reform momentum along Australia’s east coast, where New South Wales has committed to higher pokies taxes, a 10-year machine reduction and facial recognition in venues.
Clubs must now map technology investments and operational changes against the fixed 2029 start for reductions and the eventual 2045 cap. The phased schedule provides lead time, yet the statutory trajectory points to permanently smaller gaming floors and tighter player controls. Operators and investors in the territory should model the revenue effects of fewer machines alongside compliance costs to position for the regulated environment that is now legislatively defined.
Reporting: Asia Gaming Brief
Generated by SCCG’s automated editorial system from published source reporting. SCCG Management holds editorial responsibility.
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