Calls to reduce gambling harm

Key points

• The Alliance for Gambling Reform and three councils are urging all parties contesting the Victorian state election to commit to mandatory carded play with binding loss limits. They also want poker machine venues closed between midnight and 10am.
• Victorians lost a record $3.318 billion on electronic gaming machines in 2025–26, up 5.5 per cent. Brimbank recorded the highest council loss in the state at $185.35 million.
• Hume recorded its highest annual loss on record at $157.16 million. The Liberal Party said it aims to reduce gambling harm but did not directly address the two reforms.