ACT bans cash withdrawals at poker venues in gambling crackdown
Canberrans cannot withdraw cash through EFTPOS at pokie venues, with ATMs to follow and all machines moving to account-based gaming.
The ACT Government announced major gambling reforms. They target more than 58,000 Canberrans harmed by poker machines.
Cash withdrawals via EFTPOS at venues will stop within weeks of legislation passing in October. ATMs inside poker venues must be removed within a year.
All machines will shift to account-based gaming over two years. This means players cannot load cash on the spot.
Operating hours will drop by 15 per week from 1 July 2027. The government will force venues to give up 500 poker machine licenses every four years.
This cuts the total fleet from just under 3500 now to no more than 1000 by 2045. Gaming Reform Minister Marisa Paterson said the package targets a major community problem.
- More than 58,000
- Canberrans affected
- Just under 3500
- Current machine fleet
- No more than 1000
- Target fleet by 2045
- 15 hours
- Weekly hour reduction from July 2027
Why it mattersIf you or someone you know struggles with poker machine gambling, these barriers make it harder to chase losses on impulse.
AustraliaThis is an ACT policy that reshapes gambling access for Canberra residents and may influence other states considering similar harm-reduction steps.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 9 d ago
