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Venue Design and Player Information

There are a number of measures that regulate the environment within gaming venues and the information that is displayed to players.

Automatic Teller Machines

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) have been banned from gaming rooms and cash withdrawals from ATM and EFTPOS facilities in venues have been limited to $200 per debit transaction (no credit withdrawals are permitted).

Planned actions and initiatives over the next five years include setting a maximum per customer per day withdrawal limit of $400 for all ATMs in gaming venues or within 50 metres of an entrance to the Melbourne casino floor.

Time and lighting

The following measures foster responsible gambling by ensuring that gaming venues do not create a timeless environment detached from the outside world:

• venues must be adequately lit
• all gaming machines must display the time of the day, either on the machine screen, or on a clock attached to the machine.

Trading hours

Twenty-four hour trading has been abolished in all venues other than the Melbourne casino.

Smoking

To reduce health risks caused by cigarette smoke, smoking has been banned in machine areas in gaming venues for the last five years. Smoking is also banned in the Melbourne Crown Casino, except for some of the TAB, bar, and highroller areas.

Since the 1 July 2007, all enclosed licensed premises in Victoria have been smoke-free, with the exception of high roller rooms at the Melbourne Crown Casino.

Underage gambling

Underage gambling is banned. Children are not allowed to play gaming machines under any circumstance or to be in areas where gaming machines are present.

Player information

Each gaming venue is required to display specific printed and electronic information on how gaming machines work. All gaming machines must display this information from 1 Jan 2008.

The player information is displayed on:

• brochures available at cashier area
• posters must be clearly visible
• talkers attached to gaming machines.

They advise players about the odds of winning and about Gambler's Help services.

In addition, all new gaming machine games must display the amount of time and money spent by the player.