Mandatory closure periods for gaming machine venues will be introduced in Victoria as part of nation-leading gambling harm reforms.
A bill to amend current gaming laws being introduced to state parliament on Tuesday will make venues close all gaming areas between 4am and 10am each day.
Melbourne's Crown Casino will be exempt from the mandatory closures, which will come into effect by mid-2024.
"We've seen predatory behaviour from some venues, allowing people to keep gambling for hours, at any hour," Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation Minister Melissa Horne said.
"Closing gaming areas between 4am and 10am will give people an important break to reassess and walk away."
The bill will also extend the minister's powers to ban betting on sporting matches involving minors or amateurs, even if the games are not played in Victoria.
The changes are part of a suite of gambling reforms announced by the state government in July.
These included mandatory pre-commitment spending limits and carded play for all electronic gaming machines, capped load-up limits of $100 and slower machine spin rates.
The Lanor government is still consulting with industry as part of an implementation working group.
