A few months ago, we talked about cashless gambling launching in Australia and now trails have begun to see if this is a viable option. It would allow players to play real money pokies without ever having to put in cash.
The New South Wales cashless gambling trial is set to expand its scope by incorporating thousands more poker machines in the bid to perform a "proper research analysis" of the scheme. Michael Foggo, the head of the overseeing panel and former liquor, gaming, and racing commissioner, expressed his hopes that the trial's results would affirm that "cashless gaming works".
The cashless gambling trial was initially launched to include 500 poker machines. Foggo proposes expanding this figure to at least 3,000, which would constitute about 4% of all machines in the state. The reasoning behind this expansion lies in enabling a wider "range of situations and venues," thus providing more comprehensive data for analysis.
The panel, which consists of 16 industry representatives and reform advocates, is tasked with reporting to the government by November next year. Foggo, who was appointed to lead this panel, asserts his belief that the trial will demonstrate the viability of cashless gambling as an option for the state.
Premier Chris Minns has pledged to make the panel's findings publicly available and is keen to implement cashless gambling if it is proven effective. The panel, however, is a diverse group with differing opinions, which may result in a dissenting report.
This panel is unique, bringing together advocates passionate about harm minimisation and gambling reform, as well as industry representatives. Those members who ultimately disagree with the recommendations have the right to produce a minority report, allowing further public discussion.
Reform advocates and stakeholders, such as Rev Stu Cameron, the Wesley Mission’s chief executive, and Joanna Quilty, the chief executive of the New South Wales Council of Social Services, welcomed the panel's formation and the trial's imminent start.
The panel, which consists of 16 industry representatives and reform advocates, is tasked with reporting to the government by November next year. Foggo, who was appointed to lead this panel, asserts his belief that the trial will demonstrate the viability of cashless gambling as an option for the state.
Premier Chris Minns has pledged to make the panel's findings publicly available and is keen to implement cashless gambling if it is proven effective. The panel, however, is a diverse group with differing opinions, which may result in a dissenting report.
Apart from the cashless trial for electronic gaming machines, the panel will also outline an implementation roadmap for gaming reforms. Input from external sources, such as the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre, will be incorporated.
The panel's mandate includes developing government recommendations on the possible introduction of cashless gaming in hotels and clubs. This will entail considerations for infrastructure investment, employment impact, and further reducing gambling harm.
Beyond the trial, the panel is responsible for producing a gambling reform implementation roadmap. This includes making recommendations on the utilisation of a AU$100m harm minimisation fund, the expansion of the self-exclusion register, and the application of facial recognition technology to support exclusion schemes.
Furthermore, the government is set to conduct a review of the ClubGRANTS scheme, which hasn't been formally reviewed since 2013. This review will run concurrently with the panel's work.
Chair Foggo emphasised the need for a balanced approach that considers all relevant factors in reducing the harm caused by gambling. He stated that the panel would "get straight to work" and confirm the framework of the cashless gaming trial, recommending an appropriate mix of venues for the trial to the government.
In the broader perspective of reform, the NSW government has proposed other measures, including lowering the cap for poker machine entitlements, reducing the cash input limit on new machines, banning political donations from clubs with pokies machines, and prohibiting certain types of external signage for gaming rooms.
By extending the number of poker machines included in the trial, the NSW cashless gambling panel is making a significant stride towards a more comprehensive understanding of the potential for cashless gambling, aiming to balance economic considerations with harm minimisation. This move marks a key moment in the evolution of the state's approach to gaming and gambling reform.
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