NSW Expands Cashless Gaming Trial for Casinos

More pubs and clubs in New South Wales (NSW) have embraced a cashless pokies trial set up in an effort to eliminate money-laundering and gambling harm.

The 12-month trial is set to go ahead with 4485 machines, significantly more than the 500 originally proposed by Premier Chris Minns earlier this year.

Eight hotels and 20 clubs, including seven regional venues, will take part and provide information back from the first quarter of next year onwards.

The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform, which supported the involvement of a variety of venues, will oversee the trial.

Former NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing commissioner Michael Foggo is leading the panel, which includes industry, law enforcement, and community representatives.

He stated that the large number of applications demonstrated industry support for the trial.

The Rev Stu Cameron, Chief Executive of Wesley Mission and gambling reform advocate, welcomed the level of momentum for change.

He said, “NSW is on track to have lost another $8 billion (US$5.3 billion) to poker machines in 2023—the equivalent to $1000 (US$670) for every adult and child in the state. It is vital that the momentum for real change is maintained in keeping with community expectations.”

The trial is part of a gambling reform package Labor took to the March election, where it was criticized for not fully implementing a mandatory cashless system for machines as promised by the previous coalition government.

The pledges by both major parties came after a damning report by the NSW Crime Commission last year, which found that criminals were funneling billions of “dirty” cash through poker machines in pubs and clubs with few controls.

Labor had previously reduced the cash input limit from $5000 (US$3400) to $500 (US$340) for all new poker machines from July 1, cut the statewide cap on machine entitlement, and banned “VIP” gaming signage outside venues.

Gaming Minister David Harris stated that the strong interest in the trial showed clubs and hotels were serious about working with the government to address issues related to pokies.

PARTICIPATING VENUES:

* Albion Hotel, Parramatta

* Auburn Tennis Club

* Broken Hill Musicians Club

* Cabra-Vale Ex-Active Servicemen’s Club

* Charles Hotel, Fairy Meadow

* Crows Nest Hotel

* Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club

* Dubbo RSL Memorial Club

* Epping Club

* Fingal Bay Sports Club

* Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay

* Juniors Malabar RSL Club

* Juniors Maroubra RSL Club

* Moama Bowling Club

* Nags Head Hotel, Glebe

* Pittwater RSL Club

* Ramsgate RSL Club

* Royal Hotel Bondi

* Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club

* St George Leagues Club

* St Marys Rugby League Club

* The Duke Hotel, Dural

* The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield

* Twin Towns Services Club

* Wests HQ

* Willoughby Hotel

* Worrigee Sports Club

* Wyong Rugby League Club