2023-01-30
Clubs NSW announcement of a mandatory code of conduct is a desperate attempt to appease the public and avoid the necessary regulation to stop money laundering and reduce gambling harm, says Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP and gambling spokesperson.
The Daily Telegraph reported today on Clubs NSW’s announcement of a mandatory code of conduct.
“This is yet another desperate attempt by Clubs NSW to avoid government regulation,” says Cate Faehrmann.
“Let’s be clear reducing gambling harm will mean reducing clubs profits. So relying on clubs to enforce measures that may impact their bottom line is like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.
“Clubs NSW is clearly feeling the heat and finally taking the most basic steps in an attempt to appear as if they’re acting on money laundering and gambling harm, but these measures are weak and ineffective.
“Clubs already have the ability to ban people from their venues but there are countless stories of clubs failing to enforce those bans so how can we trust them to enforce this?
“Clubs NSW’s plan for state-wide and third-party exclusions would rely on dangerous and inaccurate facial recognition technology instead of cashless gambling because they are terrified that cashless gambling would actually reduce clubs’ obscene pokies profits.
“I’ve spoken to one woman whose son in his 20s has gambled away more than $500,000 despite being on multiple exclusion registers and yet venues keep letting him in.
Contact: Jacob Miller - 0428 837 292