More pubs and clubs than expected have embraced a New South Wales (NSW) cashless pokies trial set up in a bid to stamp out money-laundering and gambling harm.
The 12-month trial is due to go ahead with 4485 machines, substantially more than the 500 proposed by Premier Chris Minns earlier this year.
Eight hotels and 20 clubs, including seven regional venues, will take part, providing information back from the first quarter of next year onwards.
The Independent Panel on Gaming Reform, which backed the involvement of a range of different venues, will oversee the trial.
Former NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing commissioner Michael Foggo is leading the panel, which includes industry, law enforcement and community representatives.
He said the large number of applications demonstrated industry support for the trial.
Wesley Mission chief executive and gambling reform advocate the Rev Stu Cameron welcomed the level of momentum for change.
“NSW is on track to have lost another $8 billion (US$5.3 billion) to poker machines in 2023—the equivalent to $1000 (US$670) for every adult and child in the state,” he said.
“It is vital that the momentum for real change is maintained in keeping with community expectations.”
The trial is part of a gambling reform package Labor took to the March election, when it was criticised for stopping short of the then-coalition government’s pledge to introduce a mandatory cashless system for machines.
The major parties’ promises followed a damning NSW Crime Commission report that last year found criminals were funnelling billions in “dirty” cash through poker machines in pubs and clubs with few controls.
Labor previously reduced the cash input limit from $5000 (US$3400) to $500 (US$340) for all new poker machines from July 1, cut the statewide cap on machine entitlement and banned “VIP” gaming signage outside venues.
Gaming Minister David Harris said the strong interest in the trial showed clubs and hotels were serious about working with the government to tackle issues surrounding pokies.
“The industry is clearly behind us as we undergo these landmark gaming reforms as part of our commitment to addressing money laundering and gambling harm in NSW,” he said.
PARTICIPATING VENUES:
* Albion Hotel, Parramatta
* Auburn Tennis Club
* Broken Hill Musicians Club
* Cabra-Vale Ex-Active Servicemen’s Club
* Charles Hotel, Fairy Meadow
* Crows Nest Hotel
* Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club
* Dubbo RSL Memorial Club
* Epping Club
* Fingal Bay Sports Club
* Golden Sheaf Hotel, Double Bay
* Juniors Malabar RSL Club
* Juniors Maroubra RSL Club
* Moama Bowling Club
* Nags Head Hotel, Glebe
* Pittwater RSL Club
* Ramsgate RSL Club
* Royal Hotel Bondi
* Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Club
* St George Leagues Club
* St Marys Rugby League Club
* The Duke Hotel, Dural
* The Stag & Hunter Hotel, Mayfield
* Twin Towns Services Club
* Wests HQ
* Willoughby Hotel
* Worrigee Sports Club
* Wyong Rugby League Club
