Australian Capital Territory Government Tests Market for “Central Monitoring System” to Reduce Gambling Harm

The ACT Government is testing the market for technology to reduce harms associated with poker machines.

A four week “market sounding” commenced on Thursday 14 March that will gather information about a “central monitoring system” (CMS), a tool that could connect all poker machines in the Territory to monitor their operation and allow the consistent rollout of harm reduction initiatives such as bet limits or loss limits.

The Government’s 2022 Discussion Paper identified a central monitoring system (CMS) as the most viable approach to achieving the gaming harm reduction policy objectives identified in the Parliamentary and Governing Agreement (PAGA), including bet and load-up limits.

“The ACT Government is firmly committed to reducing harm from gambling. A central monitoring system offers substantial potential to implement national-leading measures to limit gambling losses and improve self-exclusion,” said Shane Rattenbury, ACT Minister for Gaming.

“A CMS would connect all poker machines in the ACT and provide the capability to control and monitor their operation. It unlocks the ability to introduce effective harm reduction measures and other capabilities including:

• Poker machine bet and load-up limits;
• a universal player card (linked to all EGMs across all venues) to support a more effective self-exclusion system;
• cashless gaming accompanied by harm reduction measures such as pre-commitment and loss limits;
• monitoring of criminal activity such as money laundering;
• improved data collection to inform harm reduction policy, and improved reporting and transparency of gambling losses; and
• regulatory efficiencies for both government and industry.”

“The ACT needs additional measures to reduce the harm cause by gambling. We’re currently the only jurisdiction without a CMS in place. We need to get the measures in place that will allow best practice harm reduction – for example, a loss-limit scheme similar to the Tasmanian Government’s model, which prevents players losing more than set amounts.”

“Upon receipt of the market sounding results, the ACT Government will swiftly consider the next steps to take in this area,” said Minister Rattenbury.

Key facts about the market sounding:

• No final decision: The ACT Government has not committed to the implementation of a CMS.
• Seeking information: This market sounding is purely a research initiative and will not directly lead to the procurement of a system.
• Confidentiality: Participation in the process is confidential to protect both supplier and government commercial interests.