The Australian Capital Territory Government (ACT) has introduced legislation proposing mandatory account-based cashless gaming. The bill also outlines a long-term reduction in poker machine numbers as part of its gambling harm reforms.
The Gaming Machine (Harm Prevention and Reduction) Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced during Gambling Harm Action Week, which runs from 19 to 25 October, and delivers measures outlined in the government's 2024 election commitments.
Under the legislation, all ACT venues operating poker machines would be required to introduce account-based cashless gaming. The system would be accompanied by harm prevention measures including player pre-commitment and mandatory breaks in play.
ATMs would also be prohibited from venues with poker machines, further restricting immediate access to cash while gambling.
The bill establishes a legislated pathway to reduce the number of gaming machine authorisations across the territory to no more than 1,000 by 2045.
ACT Minister for Gaming Reform Marisa Paterson described the proposals as part of a broader effort to reduce the effects of gambling harm on individuals, families and communities.
Alongside the legislation, the ACT Gambling and Racing Commission has released its draft 2027-2032 Harm Prevention Strategy for public consultation.
The proposed strategy continues the Commission's public health approach to gambling regulation and builds on its previous 2019 gambling harm prevention strategy and subsequent independent evaluation.
The Commission is seeking feedback from community organisations, gambling industry stakeholders and other interested parties before finalising the strategy.
Written submissions on the draft strategy will remain open until 5pm on 16 November 2026, with separate online consultation sessions also scheduled for community and gambling industry representatives.
At least 500 machine authorisations would be surrendered every four years
