ACT bill mandates cashless pokies, bans ATMs and cuts machines to 1,000 by 2045

Minister for Gaming Reform Marisa Paterson introduced the Gaming Machine (Harm Prevention and Reduction) Amendment Bill 2026 in the ACT Legislative Assembly on October 20, during Gambling Harm Action Week. The government bill amends the Gaming Machine Act 2004 and its regulation, and is now before the Assembly. According to the bill’s explanatory statement , players will have to apply for a player account and have their identity verified before a player card can be issued. Machines will only be playable with that card.