Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Gambling regulation

Gary MAAS (Narre Warren South) (19:19): (268) The adjournment matter that I wish to raise is for the attention of the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation and concerns the Andrews Labor government’s gambling harm reforms. The action I seek is that the minister provide more information on how the new reforms will reduce gambling harm at venues with electronic gaming machines in my electorate of Narre Warren South.

I recently commissioned the Electronic Gaming Machine Usage in Narre Warren South parliamentary internship report from Melbourne University student Jack Keating. Jack’s detailed report focuses on electronic gaming machines in a suburban and socio-economically disadvantaged context in terms of trials and current government mitigation mechanisms and provides recommendations too. The report found above-average density of electronic gaming machines in the electorate of Narre Warren South with one of the highest annual player expenditures, with households averaging $1000 of gaming losses per annum – that is for each and every household in Narre Warren South. This figure has risen significantly over the last four years. Jack’s full report – it is an excellent report – is available through the parliamentary library, but you can also download it at that much-visited website garymaas.org.au.

But seriously, and in the context of Jack’s report, I welcome the recent state government harm minimisation reforms, including mandatory precommitment limits; carded play with limits of $100, down from $1000; and mandatory closure periods. I have long advocated for further reforms to reduce the impact of gambling on our communities and in particular my constituents. Jack Keating’s report, recent reforms and the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee’s hearings on reducing the harm caused by gambling are all very good steps towards addressing these issues. There is still so much work to do. I would appreciate it if the minister could provide further information on how the new gambling reforms will reduce gambling harm at venues with electronic gaming machines in my electorate of Narre Warren South, and I look forward to sharing the minister’s response with my community.