Integrated resort Crown Perth in Western Australia will fully implement mandatory carded play on its electronic gaming machines (EGMs) starting 1 December 2025, marking the fulfillment of one of the major reforms recommended by the 2021 Perth Casino Royal Commission. The new requirement is designed to give players greater control over their gambling activity while enabling the casino to better identify harmful behaviors and provide early intervention.
New Limits on Play Time and Spending
Under the system, every player will be required to use a personalized membership card linked to their gaming account in order to access EGMs. This card will impose strict time and loss limits: no more than 12 hours of play per day and a total of 28 hours per week, with mandatory breaks every three hours. Players at the Perth resort and casino will be able to adjust their individual spending or time limits, though any increase will take effect only after a seven-day cooling-off period, while decreases will apply immediately.
Existing members must update their cards, and new patrons will register in person by taking a photograph and setting their personal limits with assistance from casino staff. On-screen displays will allow players to track their real-time activity, and the system will generate monthly statements showing total play time and expenditure.
According to officials, these features aim to help players make more informed decisions about their gambling habits. The casino will also gain new tools to identify risky behavior and reach out with appropriate support when needed.
The introduction of carded play fulfills a major recommendation of the Perth Casino Royal Commission, which called for stronger consumer protection measures and greater accountability across Western Australia’s gambling industry. Racing and Gaming Minister Paul Papalia said the measure represents a significant step forward in safeguarding players and upholding responsible gaming standards.
“The new carded play system will provide an additional safeguard for people at risk of gambling harm,” said Papalia. “Limits on gaming time and spending will help complement WA’s robust gambling rules. This is another key Perth Casino Royal Commission reform delivered, with most recommendations now complete or close to it.”
The rollout coincides with Gambling Harm Awareness Week, highlighting the state’s continued commitment to minimizing gambling-related risks and ensuring transparency in casino operations.
Oversight and Broader Industry Context
Gaming and Wagering Commission Chair Gary Dreibergs emphasized that mandatory carded play is part of a larger suite of harm-reduction measures introduced at Crown Perth.
“The introduction of carded play for EGMs at the Crown Perth Casino is just one of many reforms that have been put in place to help achieve the Gaming and Wagering Commission’s objective of minimising gambling harm within the WA community,” Dreibergs said in the Western Australia Government’s press release.
He explained that the Commission has issued directions to Crown Perth to enforce a range of measures, including maximum bet limits, restricted play periods, mandatory loss limits, and player activity statements. Dreibergs added that these tools collectively enhance the regulator’s capacity to detect problematic play and ensure compliance.
“The GWC remains vigilant in monitoring the ongoing effectiveness of these initiatives and will continue to hold the Perth Casino licensee to the highest standards of integrity and accountability in all of its operations,” he added.
Crown Perth’s move aligns with a broader trend across Australia and New Zealand toward mandatory, trackable play systems. Similar reforms have already taken effect at Crown and Star Entertainment casinos in Sydney, as well as at SkyCity Entertainment Group properties in New Zealand. Meanwhile, Crown Melbourne has been granted an extension until December 2027 to complete the rollout of carded play technology across all table games.
Trials of comparable systems are also underway in pubs and clubs across New South Wales and Victoria, reflecting a growing industry consensus around the need for traceability and proactive harm minimization.
