The number of authorised poker machines in the ACT will be cut to no more than 1000 by 2045 under new gambling reforms that will also introduce mandatory cashless gaming and restrict access to cash at venues.

But ClubsACT has questioned the evidence for banning cash withdrawals across venues once cashless gaming is introduced and is calling for a funded transition to help clubs replace gambling revenue.

The government will introduce legislation establishing mandatory account-based cashless gaming at all ACT venues with poker machines and requiring 500 machine authorisations to be removed every four years until the 1000-machine limit is reached.

EFTPOS cash withdrawals will be banned at venues with poker machines, with ATM withdrawals to follow in 2027.

Poker machine operating hours will also be reduced, extending the mandatory shutdown period by 15 hours a week, while changes will be made to simplify gambling exclusion.

Gaming Reform Minister Marisa Paterson said one in six ACT adults experienced at least one form of harm from their own or somebody else’s gambling, or from the continuing effects of previous gambling.

“These reforms reduce access to cash creating an important break in play and gives people time to reconsider spending more than they intended,” she said.

ClubsACT CEO Craig Shannon said mandatory cashless gaming and venue-wide cash withdrawal bans were separate measures and the government needed to explain the additional benefit of restricting cash access once gaming was cashless.

“Once gaming is cashless, what additional gambling harm will a venue-wide cash withdrawal ban prevent?” he said.

“The Government needs to demonstrate that benefit and assess the consequences for patrons who rely on cash.”

ClubsACT wants the government to publish the evidence and harm-reduction targets behind the measures, assess their combined financial impact and introduce them in stages informed by trials and evaluation.

It is also seeking a funded transition plan to help clubs develop replacement income and maintain community services.

The government says it will work with clubs to diversify their income, make greater use of their land and assets and reduce their reliance on gambling revenue.

Mr Shannon said diversification would require time, approvals and money, and ClubsACT was yet to receive enough detail to assess the changes fully.

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