The most significant gambling reforms in Australia are about to be rolled out by one state as part of the local Government’s efforts to tackle money laundering and help people who struggle with gambling addiction.
Earlier today, New South Wales (NSW) Premier Dominic Perrottet unveiled his Cabinet’s new plans to regulate the gambling sector in the state, with poker machines set to become cashless by 2028. At the time when he made the Government’s announcement, Mr Perrottet explained that the new changes were planned after extensive consultations with market experts and representatives of the hospitality industry.
Under the gambling reform, daily loss limits would be imposed in an effort to ultimately put an end to problem gambling in NSW. Under the implementation of so-called cashless gambling cards, gamblers in New South Wales will have to set a daily loss limit that can only be changed after seven days. The daily limit can be chosen by the gambler, as it is planned as a measure to help people stop spending more than they can afford or originally planned. Local gamblers will be given the chance to only use money from their own bank accounts. They will no longer be able to use credit cards to make gambling transfers.
As previously shared, cashless gambling is planned to become mandatory in all venues across the state by December 31st, 2028. Local gamblers would have until the same date to have their details associated with an account to use pokies. The roll-out of the cashless gambling terminals is planned to start early next year, Mr Perrottet revealed.
Major Changes Set to Be Deployed in NSW Gambling Sector If March Election Won by Coalition
The proposed changes are set to be implemented in case the Liberal Government is re-elected in March this year.
Under the provisions of the gambling amendments, stricter privacy protections for player data are set to be unveiled, with neither the Government nor the industry set to be given access to personalised player data other than the information needed for law enforcement purposes. Stricter penalties will also be implemented for violations of the NSW gambling legislation.
A statewide exclusion register is also set to be created, with family members set to be given the chance to apply for a loved one to be suspended from poker machine gambling in case they are showing signs of problem gambling behaviour.
Apart from that, Premier Dominic Perrottet revealed that his Cabinet plans to introduce an optional buy-back scheme aimed at acquiring 2,000 poker terminals from local venues over the next five years. Also, NSW clubs and pubs will no longer be allowed to make contributions to political parties’ campaigns.
The new gambling policy unveiled by the incumbent Government came as a result of a report that had been previously released by the state’s Crime Commission, which had made a recommendation for many of the planned amendments in an effort aimed at tackling problem gambling and illegal money laundering in New South Wales. NSW Crime Commission member Michael Barnes welcomed the announced changes, saying that new rules will stop making it possible for criminals to use their dirty money in local gambling venues.
As part of the announced changes, the NSW Government plans to provide special no-interest loans for small and medium venues in order to help them with the implementation of the new cashless technology. The measures also include a one-off diversification grant worth AU$50,000 for clubs and pubs to invest in new, non-gambling income streams. Regional venues would also be able to get a grant of AU$40,000 to help them with the transition to the new rules.
- Author
Daniel Williams
