Released 15/09/2026
Today, the ACT Government is introducing a nation-leading package of reforms to reduce gambling harm in the ACT.
These reforms deliver on commitments made at the 2024 ACT election and respond to evidence that gambling harm affects thousands of Canberrans, their families and the wider community.
They also strengthen protections for people who use poker machines and support community clubs through a long-term transition.
The Government’s coordinated reform package will:
- ban EFTPOS and ATM cash withdrawals at venues with poker machines
- establish mandatory account-based cashless gaming, which includes a suite of harm reduction controls
- make gambling exclusion simpler and easier to access
- reduce poker machine operating hours
- reduce poker machine authorisations to no more than 1,000 by 2045
- support clubs to develop sustainable business models that rely less on gambling revenue.
Minister for Gaming Reform, Dr Marisa Paterson, is proud to lead the nation's largest gambling reforms.
“Australians lose the most from gambling per capita in the world. In the ACT one in six ACT adults experience at least one form of gambling harm from their own gambling, someone else’s gambling or the continuing effects of earlier gambling," Dr Paterson said.
“These reforms reduce access to cash creating an important break in play and gives people time to reconsider spending more than they intended. The EFTPOS withdrawal ban, coupled with an ATM ban to follow in 2027, provide practical and timely safeguards to reduce gambling harm.
“Extending the mandatory shutdown period for poker machines by 15 hours each week will further minimise gambling harm by reducing access to machines during the early morning.
“Together, these reforms recognise the scale of that challenge and put stronger safeguards around the gambling product associated with the greatest harm in our community.”
The Gaming Machine (Harm Prevention and Reduction) Amendment Bill 2026 will establish the framework for mandatory account-based cashless gaming at all ACT venues with poker machines. This Bill will also legislate the reduction in the number of gaming machines to 1,000 by 2045, with a mandated reduction of 500 machine authorisations every 4 years.
Supporting clubs through this transition is an important complement to the Government’s gambling harm reduction package. Through its response to the Independent Inquiry into the Future of the ACT Clubs Industry, the Government will work with clubs on opportunities to diversify their incomes streams, make better use of their land and assets and develop sustainable business models for the future.
Further information on these reforms can be found by visiting https://www.act.gov.au/law-and-justice/law-reforms/reducing-the-risk-of-gambling-harm.
Quotes attributable to Relationships Australia Canberra and Regions CEO, Lauren Anthes:
“We are pleased to see that these reforms centre harm reduction and put community members first. It is important to ensure that people experiencing gambling harm have access to support when they need it. The ACT Gambling Support Service can be contacted 24/7 on 1800 858 858.
“We are proud that the ACT Government is taking a strong and proactive approach to reducing gambling harm. Our service sees the ripple effect of gambling harm beyond an individual. We welcome the practical safeguards the ACT Government is putting in place and look forward to the positive impact they will have on the ACT community.
“We know that EGMs cause significant harm to the ACT community. Putting proactive harm reduction measures in place will ensure that club patrons have multiple on the spot options available to them to take a break from gambling.
“We continue to work closely with clubs and the ACT Government to provide a lived experience perspective to training, policy and support. For more information visit actgamblingsupport.org.au. We look forward to working with ACT Government to support the implementation of these reforms.”
- Statement ends -
Marisa Paterson, MLA | Media Releases