LEGISLATION to break up Victoria's poker machine duopoly has been tabled in State Parliament.
The Gambling Regulation Amendment Bill will take control of poker machines away from gaming giants Tatts Group and Tabcorp and put it into the hands of pubs and clubs.
The licensing changes will come into effect in 2012, enabling individual venues to bid for and operate their own machines.
Victoria's 27,500 poker machines are equally controlled by Tatts and Tabcorp.
Another 2500 machines are run by Crown Casino under a separate licence, which expires in 2033.
Gaming Minister Tony Robinson said the reforms meant pubs and clubs would receive a greater share of gaming revenue.
"Venues will now bid directly for gaming machine entitlements and will have more control of their gaming business from 2012," he said.
Mr Robinson said a draft of the bill was released last month and stakeholders were invited to provide feedback.
"Responses from industry and the community have contributed to the development of this legislation and will be used in formulating policy and further legislation and regulations developed during 2009 and into the future.
"We will continue to consult with stakeholders as well as providing education and business management support to potential bidders."
The legislation will ban hotel operators from owning more than 35 per cent of poker machines. It also includes a new progressive tax system, a tax-free threshold for small not-for-profit clubs and provisions for paying for pokies entitlements in instalments.
The new, 10-year pokies licences are expected to be auctioned next year.
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