2023-01-16
By limiting a trial of a cashless gambling card to just 500 poker machines out of 86,000 machines in pubs and clubs across NSW, Labor has set a cashless gambling card up for failure, says Cate Faehrmann, Greens MP and gambling harm reduction spokesperson.
“This was the opportunity for Labor to show they’re serious about cracking down on money laundering and reducing gambling harm by doing what the experts, including the NSW Crime Commission, have been calling for. Instead, they’ve wimped out and designed a scheme with a high likelihood of failing,” said Cate Faehrmann.
“Labor says they'll implement the card if the trial finds it hasn’t adversely impacted the industry. All the trial will show is that people chose to use the machines without the card - letting Labor declare it a failure to the delight of their gambling industry mates.
“Chris Minns has obviously figured out he can’t win the election without looking tough on pokies. Yet he still isn’t standing up to ClubsNSW and saying your industry needs to be cleaned up and you’re getting a mandatory cashless gambling card for every poker machine in the state.
“The $500 limit is designed to limit money laundering but will only apply to new machines from 1 July 2022 meaning all the current 86,000 machines are still open for business for money launderers.
“Labor is also moving forward with giving pubs and clubs access to dangerous facial recognition technology. Apparently this doesn't need to be trialled even though it could be used by venues to target punters and make them gamble more,” said Cate Faehrmann.
Contact: Jacob Miller - 0428 837 292