The Independent Panel of Gaming Reform in New South Wales (NSW) gathered for its inaugural meeting, acting as a driving force towards the planned comprehensive gambling reforms in the Australian state.
Reportedly, the Panel tackled some issues of great importance that had to be immediately taken into consideration, which included the already announced trial of cashless gaming and the implementation of the planned measures aimed at bringing some changes to the industry.
David Harris, the NSW Minister for Gaming and Racing, shared how happy he was to witness how devoted the body was to doing a thorough job and crafting the framework for the upcoming trial of cashless gaming in the state. The scheduled trial, which has lately been one of the hottest topics in the industry over the last few months, aims to bring significant changes to the gambling sector of New South Wales by introducing cashless transactions to gambling operations while at the same time making sure customers’ privacy and data are well-protected.
Mr Harris confirmed that confirming the design and regulatory setting for the expanded cashless gaming trial remained the top priority of the Panel, which wanted to make sure everything would go according to plan as soon as possible. The ambitious move involves selecting the best range of venues across the state (including clubs, pubs, and hotels) across rural and urban areas.
NSW Government Aims at Extensive Range of Regulatory Changes in the Gambling Sector
New South Wales’ Independent Panel of Gaming Reform is headed by Michael Foggo, the former NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing Commissioner. As the Chair himself confirmed, the Panel is established in a way to make sure that key shareholders and experts in the industry are all represented. It would also seek input from external experts from various organisations and agencies, such as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC), the NSW Crime Commission, and the NSW Information and Privacy Commission.
The body is expected to supply a comprehensive implementation roadmap for the planned gaming reform to the state’s Government by November 2024.
The reform agenda, however, does not only include the expansion of self-exclusion records, the integration of special facial recognition technology in exclusion systems, the utilisation of a harm minimisation fund worth AU$100 million, and the facilitation of third-party exclusions from gambling services. The scope of the Independent Panel’s authority also includes reviewing the ClubGRANTS Scheme, carried out in coordination with The Cabinet Office, Liquor and Gaming NSW, and the NSW Treasury. Even though the evaluation is conducted separately, it is actually in line with the ongoing efforts of the body to bring significant changes to the local gaming landscape.
The latest changes follow a series of crucial changes that have already been set in motion by the Government of New South Wales. According to experts, measures like the lower betting limits, reduction in poker machine entitlement limits, and the suspension of external gaming rooms’ signage, have been aiming to tackle gambling-related harm and fight illegal gambling activities in the state.
As previously reported by Casino Guardian, the reforms of the NSW gambling sector are set to also include the establishment of a national gambling regulatory body. Under the planned changes, a ban on all forms of gambling advertising is also planned as part of the authorities’ efforts to impose stricter regulation on the sector, reduce gambling-related harm and ensure maximum customer protection.
- Author
Daniel Williams
