2023-01-25
New Pokies Data the Wake Up Call Needed for Urgent Reform
New data showing that the people of NSW have lost more to poker machines last year than ever before should be the wake up call that all political parties and candidates in the state election need to back genuine gambling reform in NSW, including a cashless gambling card, says Greens MP and gambling harm reduction spokesperson Cate Faehrmann.
“It’s a disgrace that the amount that people lost to pokies rose 11 percent last year. This must surely be the wakeup call needed for all political parties and candidates at this election to back genuine gambling reform including a mandatory state-wide cashless gambling card,” said Cate Faehrmann.
“Every dollar taken by pokies is a dollar out of the pockets of people and families in NSW and it’s a dollar out of other businesses."
"Pokies venues are making record profits off the back of the pain and misery of people in NSW who are already feeling the pinch of rising cost of living."
"How can you look at the obscene losses that poker machines are causing, often in communities that can least afford it and not think the whole industry needs major reform?"
"Pokies are deliberately designed to be addictive. The Labor, Liberal and National parties have sat back and allowed them to wreck countless lives and suck the life out of communities."
“The Government’s own budget predicts an increase in pokies revenue year on year, acknowledging their own gambling harm reduction policies are a total failure."
“These increased losses often come from those who are most vulnerable and experiencing addiction. This isn’t an unfortunate side effect of pokies, but a deliberate strategy by the gambling industry to increase profits."
"I call on all parties and candidates at this election to commit to genuine and urgent gambling reform including a mandatory statewide cashless card. It’s time for NSW to break its addiction to pokies,” said Cate Faehrmann."