The Government of New South Wales (NSW) has avoided a heated argument over a proposed cashless gambling card in parliament by putting off its bill seeking local clubs’ overhaul.
Alex Greenwich MP, who is a crucial crossbench lawmaker, planned to officially introduce an amendment to the aforementioned piece of legislation that would include the implementation of a so-called cashless gaming card aimed at addressing and tackling gambling addiction and money laundering in the state.
As Casino Guardian reported, in October, Racing Minister Kevin Anderson unveiled the piece of legislation to Parliament, only a week before the Crime Commission issued its report into money laundering in local clubs and pubs. The report found that dirty money was being processed through gaming rooms situated in clubs and pubs in suburban areas, which is exactly why the implementation of the cashless gaming card was suggested.
The piece of legislation, however, did not feature a cashless gaming card but instead focused on a number of administrative changes and the use of special facial-recognition technology in local clubs to prevent problem gamblers from accessing gambling services as easily as currently do. The recommendation for the introduction of a mandatory cashless card faced the gambling industry’s opposition, as well as some opposition from within the Government after it was first made by Victor Dominello, the former Racing Minister.
NSW Described as the “Gambling Harm Capital” on Global Scale
As previously reported, Mr Greenwich planned to put pressure on local legislators by making an attempt to bring some changes to the proposed piece of legislation. He described the state of New South Wales as the “gambling harm capital” of the world, where clubs and pubs had turned into mini casinos facilitating money laundering.
According to him, urgent action is needed in the market, and that includes the implementation of cashless cards in all gaming venues across the state of NSW.
Racing Minister Andrews, on the other hand, has revealed that the Government of New South Wales was taking into consideration the Commission’s report and planned to respond to all the recommendations made in the report. Premier Dominic Perrottet has also previously clarified that he wanted a comprehensive response to the report.
According to some media reports, the state Government plans to respond to the recommendations and findings of the aforementioned report ahead of the March election but there will not be enough time for the actual implementation of the considered legislative changes.
In October 2022, a three-month trial of a cashless gaming system was rolled out in Newcastle to see whether the card would have the effect that it is supposed to. Recently, the leader of the NSW Labour Party – Chris Minns – has resisted the push for the introduction of the so-called cashless gambling cards although the measure has been widely supported by a few cross-bench Members of Parliament.
- Author
Daniel Williams
