The maximum amount of money Victorian gamblers can put into poker machines at one time will be slashed from $1000 to $100 under government reforms introduced to state parliament today.

The legislation will create the framework for carded play, which requires punters to insert a player card to operate a poker machine.

The card provides punters information about their gambling and allows them to set limits on how much they are willing to lose.

Melbourne’s Crown casino last year introduced compulsory carded play measures on its almost 3000 electronic gaming machines in the wake of recommendations made in the 2021 royal commission into the casino’s licence.

From mid-next year, a pilot program of carded play will begin across selected venues in Victoria.

The state government says it is a “phased approach” before carded play becomes mandatory.

The reforms also stipulate any new pokie machines approved by the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission after December 1, 2025, must have a spin rate of at least three seconds per game.

This slows games down by 40 per cent and could slow the amount of money lost by gamblers.

The latest reforms build on previous legislation aimed at reducing the health and financial impact on Victorian gamblers introduced under former premier Daniel Andrews.

Mandatory closure periods from 4am to 10am for gaming areas in all Victorian hotels and clubs began on August 30.

The Victorian government says the reforms provide the strictest gambling laws in Australia.

Gaming Minister Melissa Horne will today introduce the gambling legislation amendment into parliament.

“Almost 30 per cent of Victorians who play gaming machines experience gambling harm,” she said.

“These laws will save lives and livelihoods by giving control back to patrons.

“Gambling harm has consequences, not just for the person gambling but for everyone around them.

“These reforms provide important protections for people using gaming machines and for their loved ones.”