ACT Government Advances Sweeping Poker Machine Reforms to Address Gambling Harm
Theo Krause · Sep 14, 2026
ACT Government Advances Sweeping Poker Machine Reforms to Address Gambling Harm
The Australian Capital Territory government has outlined major reforms to poker machine laws that focus on reducing gambling harm through several targeted measures, according to reports from September 2026. These changes include mandatory account-based cashless gaming tied to player cards along with loss limits, while venues will face compulsory 15-minute breaks after every hour of continuous play.
Core Elements of the Proposed Reforms
Observers note that the package also introduces bans on EFTPOS and ATM withdrawals specifically for poker machines, reduced operating hours for venues, and a phased reduction in the total number of machines down to 1,000 by 2045 with cuts of 500 machines every four years. A transition committee will work with venues to manage the rollout, and self-exclusion processes will move to a centralized online system. Mandatory bet limits and forced exclusions did not form part of the announced measures.
Data from the underlying inquiry report that informed these steps shows patterns of harm linked to extended play sessions and easy access to cash, which the new rules aim to interrupt. Researchers involved in reviewing the evidence highlighted how account-based systems can track spending in real time, giving players clearer visibility into losses as they occur.
Implementation Timeline and Support Structures
The reforms will roll out over time, with the transition committee providing guidance to clubs and hotels that rely on poker machines. This body will examine practical challenges venues face when shifting to cashless play and adjusting hours, while also coordinating the machine reductions scheduled at regular four-year intervals. Self-exclusion, currently handled through individual venues, will consolidate into one online platform to make it simpler for people to bar themselves across multiple locations at once.
Those who've studied similar changes in other jurisdictions point out that centralized self-exclusion often increases participation rates because the process becomes less fragmented. The ACT approach avoids some stricter elements such as forced exclusions or hard bet caps, which the government indicated would require further consultation before any future consideration.
Background on the Policy Development
The announcement follows an inquiry that examined evidence around gambling harm in the territory, leading to this specific set of proposals. Figures presented during the review process indicated steady numbers of machines over recent years alongside rising concerns about player losses, prompting the structured reduction path that reaches 1,000 machines by 2045. The cashless gaming requirement with player cards and loss limits represents a shift away from anonymous cash play that has dominated poker machine use until now.
Venues will need to adapt their systems to support the new card-based accounts, and the transition committee will assist with technical and operational questions that arise during implementation. Reduced operating hours will vary by venue type, though exact schedules remain under development as part of the committee's work. Bans on cash withdrawals at EFTPOS and ATMs for pokie use will take effect alongside the break requirements to limit continuous sessions.
Stakeholder Reactions and Next Steps
Industry representatives have begun discussions with the transition committee about compliance timelines, while community groups focused on gambling harm have welcomed the emphasis on breaks and spending limits. The move to a centralized self-exclusion system addresses previous feedback that separate venue-by-venue registrations created barriers for people seeking help. No immediate changes to bet limits or automatic exclusions appear in the current plan, leaving those areas for potential later review.
According to the ABC report covering the announcement, the reforms build directly on the inquiry findings without introducing elements that lacked sufficient supporting data at this stage. Implementation will occur in stages so that the machine reductions and system upgrades can proceed without disrupting existing operations more than necessary.
Conclusion
The ACT government's package combines several practical steps that target identified risk factors in poker machine play while establishing support mechanisms for affected venues. The combination of cashless accounts, enforced breaks, cash access restrictions, and gradual machine reductions sets a clear direction through 2045, with the centralized self-exclusion system adding an accessibility improvement. Observers will watch how the transition committee guides the process and whether additional measures emerge from ongoing monitoring of the reforms.