Victoria: Operators Wary as Lawmakers Consider Mandatory Carded Play

The government of Victoria is considering introducing obligatory carded play for patrons at gaming venues, to the gambling industry’s dismay. The proposed bill would require all patrons to use personal cards that track their spending and gaming, making it easier to prevent gambling harm and gambling-related financial crime.

However, industry stakeholders believe that this measure could put their businesses in peril.

Carded Play Remains a Point of Contention

As mentioned, proponents of carded play say that it would allow the Australian state to tackle money laundering and problem gambling.

Conversely, Victorian operators, pubs, clubs, and civil liberty supporters argued that the measure would push many a player to the much more dangerous black market. As a result, it could have a devastating effect on businesses and the economy as a whole.

The mandatory carded play proposal came amid continued efforts to bolster the gambling oversight in Victoria. These efforts were in part prompted by recent scandals involving some of Australia’s biggest and most influential operators – Crown Resorts and Star Entertainment Group.

However, opponents of carded play said that over-regulation would make legal gaming less attractive, pushing players to illegal online gambling platforms. Despite the ACMA’s best efforts, illegal casinos have continued to target Australia and take money from local players. While they offer none of the protections legal casinos do, unlicensed websites tend to offer more attractive rewards and odds, swaying countless consumers.

The Measure May Put Smaller Operators Out of Business

Under the proposed carded play measure, every player in Victoria would need to use a personal card to gamble. The card would track their spending across all venues, helping operators identify markers of gambling harm. This system would likewise make it easier to spot suspicious betting patterns.

Some questioned the ethics of this measure, arguing that it treats all players like criminals.

Others were concerned about the effect carded play would have on smaller businesses in Victoria, such as less influential gambling operators, pubs, and clubs. If carded play drives players off, many of these establishments would experience significant financial hardship. Some even fear going out of business.

To make matters worse, some venues have yet to recover from the COVID pandemic, exposing them to even greater financial risks.

Opponents of over-regulation cited recent regulatory efforts in New South Wales which were too costly and failed to achieve the desired results.

In any case, the future of carded play rests with the Parliament. Industry stakeholders therefore remain concerned as lawmakers seem to be bullish on the reforms.

Carded Play Available in Crown Melbourne

Carded play is not a brand-new idea. In fact, Crown Resorts, one of the operators that prompted the increased regulatory scrutiny in the first place, eventually introduced a carded play system in its Melbourne casino.

While Crown Resorts’ carded play scheme has been successful, many argued that, as one of the richest operators in the country, the company has more room to experiment than its smaller competitors for which each hiccup matters.