This paper outlines the reforms to electronic gaming machine (EGM) operations in the ACT between 2016 and 2024. It begins by detailing the two parliamentary agreements from 2016 and 2020, along with the reform agendas they introduced. The paper then traces the implementation timeline of these reforms and others. The most significant reform during this period was a reduction in the number of EGMs.

The paper then analyses the impact of reducing EGM numbers on problem gambling prevalence, and on EGM expenditure. Problem gambling levels did not decrease between 2014 and 2019, the period for which we have data. 

Additionally, there is no evidence that the surrender of EGM authorisations reduced EGM expenditure. Comparing venues that surrendered EGM authorisations with those that did not, no relationship was found between the surrender and changes in total EGM expenditure. This suggests that the reduction in EGM licenses led to increased utilisation of remaining EGMs, rather than a reduction in gambling losses overall.