MELBOURNE, AAP – Crown punters will be required to pre-commit to maximum poker machine losses and time limits, under new Victorian laws to be introduced later this year.
A compulsory pre-commitment system, requiring patrons to set a daily, weekly or monthly time and loss limit before play, was one of the key recommendations from the royal commission into Crown Resorts.
It also recommended patrons should also use the pokies for no more than three hours continuously before taking a 15-minute break, play for no more than 12 hours in any 24-hour period and no more than 36 hours per week.
Gaming Minister Melissa Horne confirmed the state government is pursuing the pre-commitment laws on Thursday.
“The Royal Commission recommended a mandatory pre-commitment scheme be put in place at Crown and that is exactly what we will deliver through legislation later this year,” she said.
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“Detailed analysis and consultation is currently taking place to best implement the second tranche of legislation.”
If implemented, the laws could be the toughest mandatory pre-commitment rules at an Australia casino.
AAP has contacted Crown Melbourne for a response.
The eight-month royal commission, headed by former Federal Court judge Ray Finkelstein QC, delivered its recommendations in October last year.
While the report found Crown’s behaviour was “illegal, dishonest, unethical and exploitative”, Crown kept its Melbourne casino licence.
Instead, it was recommended Crown continue operating under the oversight of a Special Manager for two years while it undertakes comprehensive reforms.
It also recommended banning junket tour operators and prohibiting any person from owning more than a five per cent stake in Crown shares.
The use of cash is set to be phased out except for gaming transactions of $1000 or less, while gamblers will be required to play with a Crown card that identifies them and tracks their losses.
