Cashless gaming cards featuring a spending limit per day would be introduced in the state of New South Wales in case Liberal Premier Dominic Perrottet is re-elected in March 2023.
As previously reported by Casino Guardian, the Premier is willing to remove the use of cash from poker machines, also known as “pokies”, across the state as part of his Government’s gambling reforms. Last week, Mr Perrottet confirmed that the cards that would be required to be used by poker machine players in New South Wales would feature a cap. Later, he revealed that the daily spending limit that is being considered for the state’s cashless gaming card varies between AU$1,000 and AU$1,500 as the upper limit.
In case the proposed system is brought in, New South Wales will become the second Australian state to introduce the cards. The first state that did so in the country was Tasmania, with their limit being far lower. For the time being, the cashless card cap in Tasmania amounts to AU$100 a day, AU$500 a week, and AU$5,000 a year.
The implementation of so-called cashless cards has been part of Premier Perrottet’s push for a reform of NSW’s gambling sector. However, the measure has turned into the apple of discord in the lead-up to the state election that is set to take place in March this year.
Implementation of Cashless Gaming Card Aims at Tackling Gambling-Related Harm in the NSW
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has revealed that, on one hand, the cards would be aimed at minimising the harm that is brought to local communities through problem gambling, and on the other hand, at tackling the unlawful practice of using poker machines as laundromats to wash “dirty” money.
According to the results of the “Project Islington” inquiry that was held in the state by the NSW Crime Commission in 2022, billions in dirty money was laundered through New South Wales pokies over the 2021 financial year.
As well as the aforementioned spending limit, the cashless gaming cards would be linked to a particular individual, so NSW residents would no longer be allowed to gamble anonymously.
However, not everyone believes that the plan would actually be effective. In fact, one of the most vocal critics of the proposed measure has been part of Premier Perrottet’s own party. David Elliott, the Transport and Veterans Minister, who is set to retire at the next election, has argued that the implementation of the cashless gaming card would have much of an effect on the issues. Mr Elliott remains sceptical about the effectiveness of the plan, although he would like to find that the cashless card had actually worked in the state. He is set to excuse himself from making direct cabinet decisions regarding the planned reform of the New South Wales’ gambling sector because his son works for Aristocrat Leisure, a gambling technology company.
Apart from facing some criticism from his own, Premier Perrottet also sees serious push-back from clubs and pubs across the state, as poker machines account for a significant part of their revenue. The implementation of cashless gaming cards would change that, which would affect the performance of such NSW venues.
- Author
Daniel Williams
