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SBS Australia
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Fears new breed of influencers could worsen a $25 billion Australian problem
In a quiet Brisbane club at about 10am on a Tuesday morning, Stuart is sitting in front of a poker machine filming his latest video for his YouTube channel, commentating as the machine flashes and beeps. "Oh my goodness — wow," he says to his viewers, as a $500 win flashes on the screen. But this was a rare win, he told The Feed. "The reality is, you put a hundred in, more than likely you're walking away with nothing. You have to be extremely lucky to walk away with a win," Stuart said. He's part of a growing number of gambling content creators who are gaining traction across social media and gambling platforms. Stuart gambles small amounts of money, records his wins and losses, and uploads the footage for his viewers, many of whom, he says, are people who "just want a little taste" of gambling without the risk of playing themselves. Stuart uploads videos to YouTube of him playing the pokies in Brisbane. Source: Supplied But it's a growing type of content that has some experts concerned about Australia's gambling rates. Australians lose about $25 billion a year to gambling — the most per capita of anywhere in the world — while we host around 18 per cent of the world's poker machines, according to the Australia Institute. Online gambling influencers making it big Meanwhile, on gaming streaming platforms such as Twitch and the newer Australian site Kick (which is backed by Bijan Tehrani and Ed Craven, co-founders of online gambling site Stake), gambling influencers rack up millions of views streaming themselves playing online pokies (also known by the US term slots). Unlike Stuart's YouTube channel, these streamers often have thousands of eyes on them, largely made up of gamers as well as young people drawn in by the spectacle and personality. Some streamers have up to a million followers. But online slots and casino-style games such as blackjack are illegal in Australia — and so is streaming playing them. However due to loose regulations, the content is being watched in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) told The Feed in a statement that gambling influencers who promote illegal online services may put Australians at risk as illegal platforms often don't allow users to withdraw winnings and may even take money without permission. "Unfortunately, you are unlikely to see your money again in these situations," a spokesperson said. They also warned influencers they could face fines of up to $59,400 for promoting or advertising illegal online gambling services. And some experts fear that the popularity of gambling influencers could lure in young people to gambling harms. "Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable and gambling influencers may be putting people that follow them at real risk of harm," the ACMA said. In some cases, viewers can 'donate' money for the streamer to gamble with and watch the outcome play out. Some streamers encourage viewers to donate money as one-off payments or regular contributions, or promote 'referral links' or sponsorships, to make money, thanking viewers while streaming for their contributions. The donors don't get a share of any winnings. Gambling has found a new home on Kick and Twitch, where influencers live-stream content for the masses. Source: Getty / John Lamb The appeal of these streams is that they allow viewers to vicariously gamble and engage with these influencers. Users can chat to the streamer who responds live. For some, it's a social and intimate experience. Dr Mark Johnson, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of Sydney, has conducted research into the intersection of gambling and influencers. He says the dynamic of fans bankrolling a streamer's real-money play is a brand-new phenomenon that can pose risks. "It's a very modern and very novel relationship between the person who's gambling and the resources that they have to gamble." "[And] it's very hard to regulate this." Not just a game Johnson's study surveyed 350 international viewers and observed 25 gambling influencers on Twitch and Kick, finding that nearly half of the viewers felt more inclined to gamble after watching gambling streams. For some, it was the content itself. For others, it was the live chat rooms that the platforms provide, spaces that often reinforce misplaced ideas about gambling strategy and odds. "You might see a streamer playing a certain online slot game and they've lost a bunch in a row — and then they change to another slot game on the same site and they win a few times and they go: 'See, I knew it,'" Johnson said. Australians lose $25 billion each year to gambling. Source: SBS "A lot of these kind of disordered ideas aren't challenged by anybody and are reinforced." About 30 per cent of people surveyed said they were less likely to gamble due to getting their fix by watching streamers. Despite their influence, few online gambling personalities have accepted interviews with media or researchers. Building new audiences Johnson said that while traditional gambling ads on TV are regulated and banned from children's programs, streamed gambling content largely escapes scrutiny or regulation. Plus, age restrictions on these platforms can be easily bypassed. "[Gambling influencer content is] definitely reaching young people. I think to an extent that traditional forms of gambling advertising probably don't reach because these are sites with lots of kids," Johnson said. "Successful influencers and content creators can often have big [young] followings." And young people are prone to the influence of gambling. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 shared analysis of 10,000 Australians aged 16-17 that found that one-in-six gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Stuart thinks gambling sites should introduce digital ID age checks to ensure children can't access content. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 found that one-in-six people aged 17-18 gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Source: SBS "Most platforms all you've got to do is just click a button and say, 'yes, I'm over 18', and away you go," he said. "So they're relying on honesty, and we all know what humans are like." Between influence and advertising Gambling influencers exist in a new grey area: neither traditional advertisers nor neutral entertainers. Stuart, who on several occasions stopped gambling to try to curb his addiction, said honesty is important in gambling content, and believes he's not promoting it. "I mention where I'm playing just to be nice because they've allowed me to film there, so I mention where I am, so people know. But I really don't feel that it's advertising." He says his videos include both big wins and big losses while some streamers only share the highs. "You don't want to trick people into thinking anybody can go down and put a hundred dollars in a machine and pull out a thousand — because that's not the reality." "I've had a lot of comments saying, 'you've put me off gambling by showing me exactly what happened,'" Stuart said. While some of his fans do send small donations, he doesn't rely on the income. "Out of $3 I might be left with $1.40 [after fees from streaming platforms] — so it's not a great deal. I don't feel that I have to use that for gambling." A spokesperson from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national advocacy group, told The Feed in a statement that an advertising ban across all forms of media would help prevent young people from viewing or engaging in gambling. "[It] would prevent anyone — underage or not — from being exposed to people intending to influence gambling behaviour using tactics designed to mislead or glamorise gambling," they said. A gap in regulation Despite the growing popularity of gambling streams, there's little regulation. While US-based Twitch (a subsidiary of Amazon) has tightened its rules, such as banning the streaming of unlicensed gambling sites in 2022, Johnson says many streamers simply don't obey the rules. "Let's say a player who's playing on a British site, they are streaming it on Twitch, which is a US site, and they're being viewed by an Aussie viewer. So how do you manage that?" Kick told The Feed in a statement that gambling streamers are not allowed to bet with other users' money. "Failure to comply with local laws and regulations is a breach of our terms of service and may result in being temporarily suspended or permanently banned from Kick," it said. Gambling has found a new home on gaming platforms Twitch and Kick. Source: Getty / Jakub Porzycki Johnson believes this new era of gambling is here to stay and sees an urgent need for more research, platform responsibility, and public awareness. "The big thing is to start taking seriously the idea that viewing gambling matters. That it is not just play which matters," he says. "We live in the first time in history where massive amounts of people can watch celebrities playing games of pure luck — and waging money on those games for massive amounts of money." In the meantime, viewers will keep tuning into their favourite streamers. Some for entertainment. Some for community. Some for the thrill. And for others, a fix they're no longer willing — or able — to chase themselves. If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Readers seeking support for gambling concerns can contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available at
SBS Australia
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- SBS Australia
Influencers gambling with 'donated' cash: Inside the new online gambling trend
In a quiet Brisbane club at about 10am on a Tuesday morning, Stuart is sitting in front of a poker machine filming his latest video for his YouTube channel, commentating as the machine flashes and beeps. "Oh my goodness — wow," he says to his viewers, as a $500 win flashes on the screen. But this was a rare win, he told The Feed. "The reality is, you put a hundred in, more than likely you're walking away with nothing. You have to be extremely lucky to walk away with a win," Stuart said. He's part of a growing number of gambling content creators who are gaining traction across social media and gambling platforms. Stuart gambles small amounts of money, records his wins and losses, and uploads the footage for his viewers, many of whom, he says, are people who "just want a little taste" of gambling without the risk of playing themselves. Stuart uploads videos to YouTube of him playing the pokies in Brisbane. Source: Supplied But it's a growing type of content that has some experts concerned about Australia's gambling rates. Australians lose about $25 billion a year to gambling — the most per capita of anywhere in the world — while we host around 18 per cent of the world's poker machines, according to the Australia Institute. Online gambling influencers making it big Meanwhile, on gaming streaming platforms such as Twitch and the newer Australian site Kick (which is backed by the online gambling site Stake), gambling influencers rack up millions of views streaming themselves playing online pokies (also known by the US term slots). Unlike Stuart's YouTube channel, these streamers often have thousands of eyes on them, largely made up of gamers as well as young people drawn in by the spectacle and personality. Some streamers have up to a million followers. But online slots and casino-style games such as blackjack are illegal in Australia — and so is streaming playing them. However due to loose regulations, the content is being watched in Australia. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) told The Feed in a statement that gambling influencers who promote illegal online services may put Australians at risk as illegal platforms often don't allow users to withdraw winnings and may even take money without permission. "Unfortunately, you are unlikely to see your money again in these situations," a spokesperson said. They also warned influencers they could face fines of up to $59,400 for promoting or advertising illegal online gambling services. And some experts fear that the popularity of gambling influencers could lure in young people to gambling harms. "Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable and gambling influencers may be putting people that follow them at real risk of harm," the ACMA said. In some cases, viewers can 'donate' money for the streamer to gamble with and watch the outcome play out. Some streamers encourage viewers to donate money as one-off payments or regular contributions, or promote 'referral links' or sponsorships, to make money, thanking viewers while streaming for their contributions. The donors don't get a share of any winnings. Gambling has found a new home on Kick and Twitch, where influencers live-stream content for the masses. Source: Getty / John Lamb The appeal of these streams is that they allow viewers to vicariously gamble and engage with these influencers. Users can chat to the streamer who responds live. For some, it's a social and intimate experience. Dr Mark Johnson, a senior lecturer in digital cultures at the University of Sydney, has conducted research into the intersection of gambling and researchers. He says the dynamic of fans bankrolling a streamer's real-money play is a brand-new phenomenon that can pose risks. "It's a very modern and very novel relationship between the person who's gambling and the resources that they have to gamble." "[And] it's very hard to regulate this." Not just a game Johnson's study surveyed 350 international viewers and observed 25 gambling influencers on Twitch and Kick, finding that nearly half of the viewers felt more inclined to gamble after watching gambling streams. For some, it was the content itself. For others, it was the live chat rooms that the platforms provide, spaces that often reinforce misplaced ideas about gambling strategy and odds. "You might see a streamer playing a certain online slot game and they've lost a bunch in a row — and then they change to another slot game on the same site and they win a few times and they go: 'See, I knew it'", Johnson said. Australians lose $25 billion each year to gambling. Source: SBS "A lot of these kind of disordered ideas aren't challenged by anybody and are reinforced." About 30 per cent of people surveyed said they were less likely to gamble due to getting their fix by watching streamers. Despite their influence, few online gambling personalities have accepted interviews with media or researchers. Building new audiences Johnson said that while traditional gambling ads on TV are regulated and banned from children's programs, streamed gambling content largely escapes scrutiny or regulation. Plus, age restrictions on these platforms can be easily bypassed. "[Gambling influencer content is] definitely reaching young people. I think to an extent that traditional forms of gambling advertising probably don't reach because these are sites with lots of kids," Johnson said. "Successful influencers and content creators can often have big [young] followings." And young people are prone to the influence of gambling. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 shared analysis of 10,000 Australians aged 16-17 that found that one-in-six gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Stuart thinks gambling sites should introduce digital ID age checks to ensure children can't access content. An Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report from 2023 found that one-in-six people aged 17-18 gambled before they were legally allowed — and by 18-19, the number had almost doubled. Source: SBS "Most platforms all you've got to do is just click a button and say, 'yes, I'm over 18', and away you go," he said. "So they're relying on honesty, and we all know what humans are like." Between influence and advertising Gambling influencers exist in a new grey area: neither traditional advertisers nor neutral entertainers. Stuart, who on several occasions stopped gambling to try to curb his addiction, said honesty is important in gambling content, and believes he's not promoting it. "I mention where I'm playing just to be nice because they've allowed me to film there, so I mention where I am, so people know. But I really don't feel that it's advertising." He says his videos include both big wins and big losses while some streamers only share the highs. "You don't want to trick people into thinking anybody can go down and put a hundred dollars in a machine and pull out a thousand — because that's not the reality." "I've had a lot of comments saying, 'you've put me off gambling by showing me exactly what happened'," Stuart said. While some of his fans do send small donations, he doesn't rely on the income. "Out of $3 I might be left with $1.40 [after fees from streaming platforms] — so it's not a great deal. I don't feel that I have to use that for gambling." A spokesperson from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, a national advocacy group, told The Feed in a statement that an advertising ban across all forms of media would help prevent young people view or engage in gambling. "[It] would prevent anyone — underage or not — from being exposed to people intending to influence gambling behaviour using tactics designed to mislead or glamourise gambling," they said. A gap in regulation Despite the growing popularity of gambling streams, there's little regulation. While US-based Twitch (a subsidiary of Amazon) has tightened its rules, such as banning the streaming of unlicensed gambling sites in 2022, Johnson says many streamers simply don't obey the rules. "Let's say a player who's playing on a British site, they are streaming it on Twitch, which is a US site, and they're being viewed by an Aussie viewer. So how do you manage that?" Kick told The Feed in a statement that gambling streamers are not allowed to bet with other users' money. "Failure to comply with local laws and regulations is a breach of our terms of service and may result in being temporarily suspended or permanently banned from Kick," it said. Gambling has found a new home on gaming platforms Twitch and Kick. Source: Getty / Jakub Porzycki Johnson believes this new era of gambling is here to stay and sees an urgent need for more research, platform responsibility, and public awareness. "The big thing is to start taking seriously the idea that viewing gambling matters. That it is not just play which matters," he says. "We live in the first time in history where massive amounts of people can watch celebrities playing games of pure luck — and waging money on those games for massive amounts of money." In the meantime, viewers will keep tuning into their favourite streamers. Some for entertainment. Some for community. Some for the thrill. And for others, a fix they're no longer willing — or able — to chase themselves. If this story raises issues for you, phone Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14. Readers seeking support for gambling concerns can contact the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. More information is available at
Times
07-07-2025
- Health
- Times
Australia's poker machine influencers ‘fuelling gambling addiction'
A social media trend has been accused of glamorising gambling on poker machines by Australia's top body for doctors, as it calls on politicians to restrict the viral content. Videos and live streams have cropped up across the country's social media showing influencers inserting hundreds of dollars into slot machines, known as poker machines, or pokies, in Australia. Some so-called 'pokies influencers' promise to pour money into the machines until their accounts gain a certain number of followers. At least one video appears to show a small child gambling on an iPad with comments reading 'good time to start' and 'teach 'em young'. Danielle McMullen, the president of the Australian Medical Association, said the 'shocking' content clearly targets young people and seeks 'to glamorise what is a dangerous habit'. 'These videos show that our regulations around gambling just aren't keeping up with the 21st century,' she added. 'They are essentially ads for gambling and our governments need to take a long hard look about how we get on top of this content.' The videos uploaded to Instagram with hashtags like 'pokieswin' show users winning huge jackpots without documenting their losses. One influencer, Jon Redman, offers to put a A$1,000 (£478) on red on a casino roulette machine for every 10,000 new followers. The trend comes after a report published last month suggested that despite declining participation in gambling, electronic gaming machines have led to an 'intensification effect since 2014, where higher gambling spend is concentrated among fewer players'. Those who were at higher risk of gambling harm were deemed to be most vulnerable, and could be exposed to tangible costs including bankruptcy. The report by the Victorian government found the social cost of gambling in the state doubled from A$7 billion in 2014-15 to A$14 billion in 2022-23. Commenting on the latest trend on Instagram, Meta, the company that owns the social media platform, said it would 'remove any content that does not comply with our standards as soon as we become aware' of it. 'Both the advertiser and creator must obtain written permission to promote real money gambling and must comply with all applicable Australian laws and regulations,' a Meta spokesperson told The Guardian newspaper. • It could be game over for Australia as world's sports betting capital The uploads, despite allegedly promoting gambling, do not seem to have been published in partnership with any gambling company or venue so can not be strictly defined as advertising. Last month, Australian influencers faced fines for inadvertently promoting an offshore bookmaker licensed and regulated from a remote island off the east coast of Africa. The Australian Communications and Media Authority has threatened influencers with fines up to A$59,400 for 'promoting or publicising illegal online gambling services'. Videos posted by multiple influencers linked to Leon Australia's website, which provides online sports betting, and shared financial incentives for users to create accounts. Jon Redman was approached for comment.
ABC News
29-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
NT clubs 'whitewashing' pokies revenue through community benefit fund, critics say
Northern Territory social clubs are paying as little as 0.01 per cent of millions of dollars in pokies revenue into a fund designed to redistribute gambling losses for community benefit. The NT's 20 licensed not-for-profit clubs contributed less than $4 million of the community benefit fund's (CBF) $23 million total revenue last financial year, with the cash required to be redirected to gambling amelioration and research and community grants. That figure represents 9.5 per cent of the $41.65 million in total gaming revenue collected across all clubs, according to the CBF annual report. But unlike hotels and casinos, which must pay a flat 10 per cent levy into the CBF, clubs only have to report whatever voluntary contributions they make, whether cash or "in kind". In 2023-24, three clubs — the Darwin Bowls and Social Club, the Darwin Trailer Boat Club and St Mary's Football Sporting and Social Club — elected to contribute $0 in cash. Instead, those clubs made in "in kind" contributions to the sum of $218,327, from a total combined revenue of $328,174. NT government guidelines define "in kind" contributions as including "discounts on a range of goods or services provided by clubs, or the free or subsidised use of a club's facilities or equipment". Of the clubs that did pay into the CBF, the most generous contributor in 2023-24 was the Katherine Country Club, which paid more than a third of its $2.8 million in gaming revenue, or just over $1 million, into the fund. The least generous contributor was the Darwin Golf Club, which paid in just $1,950, less than 0.01 per cent of its total poker machine revenue of more than $2 million. Affiliates of other clubs also received generous NT government funding in the same financial year. They included affiliates of Silks Darwin and the Tracy Village Social & Sports Club (TVSSC), which contributed 2.8 per cent and 1.4 per cent of their $3.7 million and $3.1 million in pokies takings to the fund respectively. Thoroughbred Racing NT (TRNT) — which contributed more than $3 million to Silks owner, the Darwin Turf Club, in 2023-24 — pocketed a $15.7 million racing industry grant. TVSSC took home a $26,390 visitor experience enhancement program (VEEP) grant, while at the same time its affiliated cricket and football clubs each received funding directly from the CBF, including $200,000 for a "complete overhaul of [the] pump and irrigation system". In total, TVSSC and its affiliate sporting clubs pocketed $241,150 in government funding in 2023-24 while contributing just $44,629 in cash and $320,013 "in kind" to the CBF — receiving a total of $170,131 more out of the CBF than they put in. The CBF is governed by the Gaming Control Act, which lists among its objectives the promotion of "a balanced contribution by the gaming industry to general community benefit and amenity". But Monash University gambling researcher Charles Livingstone said there was "a real lack of transparency" in the NT scheme, branding it "a whitewashing exercise". "It's an alibi to provide the cover for pokies venues that somehow they're contributing to the community when in fact they are imposing considerable harm," he said. "And the benefits that they provide to the community through these types of activities are often a tiny proportion of the harm that is inflicted." Dr Livingstone said a less "opaque" approach would be to "simply take a bigger share of pokies revenue into general taxation revenue". "I think if the system is to persist then the community needs to know where the club money is going, and there needs to be tight guidelines against this double dipping," he said. Gerry Wood is a patron of the Southern Districts Cricket Club, which received $178,000 in grants under the CBF in 2023-24. He said while the club was happy with its facilities, he was concerned about fairness across the competition when some teams could access the CBF on top of potential pokies revenue from an affiliated venue. "Should there be a level playing field or should [some] clubs have an advantage?" he said. "I think that's an opportune time for the government to say, 'Well look, let's have a look at it and see if it's actually doing what the legislation said it should do,' and if the legislation needs changing, well so be it." Retired Darwin public servant Doug, who asked for his surname not to be used, was addicted to gambling on poker machines for the best part of two decades and estimates he lost hundreds of thousands of dollars before finally kicking the habit three years ago. "I'd spend a fortnight's wages in three hours and I'd be left with the food I had at home or the loose change in my pocket," he said. The 62-year-old said if not-for-profit clubs were "committed to doing something to benefit the community", they would find a way to "do it without having to raise funds from gambling". "I think any money that comes from gambling can't repay the way it was earned, it's already done a lot of damage coming into existence," he said. "If it's used for anything of a social benefit it's only part of the value that it used to have. "The parents of sporting teams are often happy to contribute — they're less able to contribute if they're putting the money into poker machines and relying on then a portion of that money coming back through the venues." Mr Wood said Southern Districts had previously considered getting its own poker machines to help raise revenue, but decided against it. "Even though some sporting groups might like the idea, I'm not sure the community as a whole really wants to see an expansion of poker machines," he said. None of the NT social clubs responded to questions from the ABC. In a statement, NT Racing Minister Marie-Clare Boothby said "in kind" contributions were "often in the form of subsidised or free access to facilities". "That's a real, measurable benefit, especially for smaller groups that rely on this support," she said. "All contributions, including in-kind, must be itemised, and are scrutinised to ensure they meet the guidelines." Ms Boothby said while venues with gaming machines were barred from applying for CBF grants, their affiliated sporting clubs were "financially independent and assessed separately on merit". "We will always consider improvements to legislation to ensure it reflects community expectations — but we are also mindful of unintended consequences," she said. "A flat levy on clubs could result in reduced support for local not-for-profits or even club closures, especially in regional areas."
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Cost of gambling harm in Victoria reaches $14 billion, with pokies behind most losses
Louise* was just seven when she started noticing jewellery and household appliances going missing — her mother was selling furniture and whitegoods to fuel a gambling addiction. "I came home one day when I was 14 years old to find I didn't have a home anymore," said Louise, now in her 40s. "We'd also go a few days at a time without much to eat. "It created devastating amounts of poverty and mental health issues for us. We certainly experienced material deprivation, but it also caused serious family breakdowns." Her mother's addiction — mainly pokies — forced Louise to grow up quickly, navigating instability while trying to trust the woman she loved. "It is a horribly normalised addiction," she said. A new Victorian government study has found the social cost of gambling harm in the state has reached $14 billion. The findings are expected to increase pressure on Premier Jacinta Allan, who recently delayed landmark poker machine reforms aimed at reducing gambling harm. The report, based on population surveys from 2022–23, estimates gambling harm cost Victorians more than $14 billion in the 2022–23 financial year — a substantial increase from the last report in 2014–15. The estimate considers financial impacts such as bankruptcy, relationship costs such as divorce, and emotional and psychological harm such as depression and suicide, and productivity loss and impacts to work or study. Pokies were the biggest contributor, with two-thirds of financial losses coming from problem gamblers. The largest cost to individuals came from financial impacts, mostly due to excessive spending by players. The report also noted an "intensification" of gambling since 2014, with problem gamblers losing larger amounts. Of the $14 billion in estimated costs, $5.2 billion was attributed to negative financial impacts. Emotional and psychological harm, including suicides, was estimated to cost the state $3.3 billion. The cost to state and local governments was put at $1.3 billion. Under former premier Daniel Andrews, Labor had promised to introduce a mandatory pre-commitment system, requiring players to set a loss limit before using poker machines. The system has already been implemented at Crown Casino following a royal commission. However, last month's state budget revealed the government had delayed both the trial and statewide rollout of the scheme until at least 2027 — a move that will see the state continue to collect billions in gambling tax revenue. Louise says gambling has become too normalised in society. "I don't feel like they take the serious amount of harm that gambling produces for communities seriously enough," she said. The delay to reforms also avoids a political clash with the powerful Australian Hotels Association. The decision has angered some Labor MPs, who see it as a missed opportunity, with some even calling it a "betrayal". The venues with the highest poker machine losses are often located in communities facing high socio-economic disadvantage. The Alliance for Gambling Reform said Labor MPs were aware of the harm gambling was causing in their electorates — especially during a cost-of-living crisis — and called on the premier to act. "Everyone is being harmed here — not just the gamblers, but their families, workplaces, and the broader community," the organisation's chief executive, Martin Thomas, said. "The government knows that mandatory carded play is the gold standard for reducing harm from gambling. "It's time for Labor to put their foot down and demonstrate their progressive credentials, their commitment to social justice, and the people they represent." Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Enver Erdogan said the government was aware of the impact of gambling harm. He said that was why Labor had already introduced reforms, including limiting pokies venue opening hours. "The trial of account-based play is expected to start later this year. We'll work hand in glove with the industry and stakeholders on this, and we'll have more to say soon," Mr Erdogan said. Earlier this month, he told a parliamentary inquiry the delay was intended to "futureproof" the reforms. "I am committed to pre-commitment account-based play, but we've got to look at a system that can stand the test of time," he said. "We're also looking at what's happening in other jurisdictions — South Australia and New South Wales — to ensure our system aligns with theirs." Both South Australia and New South Wales have used facial recognition technology to identify problem gamblers, a policy supported by the pubs and clubs lobby. Victorian Greens leader Ellen Sandell called on the government to urgently introduce the delayed reforms. "What's really saddening and disappointing is that the Labor state government has consistently given in to the gambling lobby," she said. "We need to be doing everything we can to reduce gambling losses and the harm they cause." *Louise is a pseudonym used to protect her family's privacy.
