NSW Labor leader opposing cashless gaming plans

Days after the New South Wales Crime Commission published a report asking that cashless gaming cards be introduced in the Australian state, NSW Labor head Chris Minns has announced his refusal to support the notion.

Minns revealed his decision despite the mounting pressure from cross-bench MPs that want the Coalition government to endorse the proposal.

NSW Crime Commission’s recent report claimed that a “significant amount of money” placed in poker machines was the product of illegal activity. The commission reportedly discovered billions of dollars which were described as “dirty” money, being used in clubs and pubs yearly.

They further stated that allowing the acts to continue would be “rewarding and perpetuating crime in the community”. As a result, the NSW Crime Commission called for cashless gaming cards’ introduction along with other reforms. Both major parties are currently facing a lot of pressure due to the measure the NSW’s gaming lobby is strongly opposing.

READ: NSW cracking down on money laundering through pokies

The NSW premier, Dominic Perrottet, consented to consider the cashless proposal; however, he revealed that he and Minns would consult with the industry concerning the gambling cards.

According to lobby group ClubNSW, the technology for the cards would lead to thousands of job losses and a $1.8 billion rollout. The group, however, gave no evidence to back up its claim.

Sydney’s independent MP, Alex Greenwich, sought to force major parties to action by initiating bill amendments that authorized facial recognition technology in establishments like pubs and clubs.

Although crossbenchers Joe McGirr and Greg Piper backed Greenwich’s amendment, on Friday, Minns announced his refusal to support it. He explained that due to the enormity of the Crime Commission’s requested reforms, he had to be certain before issuing his support.

“The Crime Commission report called for far-reaching reforms; it wasn’t a tinkering around the edges. Obviously there’s implications as a result of those reforms. But we’re open-minded about it,” Minns said.

“But given the complexity of it, we need to make sure and look at what people are putting on the table before I give a blanket support for a proposal that I haven’t seen.”

The proposal would be a “political headache” for the NSW government mainly because there are not enough seats located in the lower house for it to pass legislation independently. This would leave the three independents essential for the Coalition.

Minns also mentioned the lobby’s comments that the proposed changes would be cost-prohibitive. According to the NSW Labor head, the commission and ClubNSW clearly disagreed with each other.

“It’s difficult for the New South Wales opposition to navigate through that difference of opinion or that difference of fact,” Minns added.

Former NSW Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin was behind the cashless gambling card recommendation after concluding her investigation on the dealings of Crown casino. The proposal was reportedly a tool to reduce harm for problem gamblers and counter criminal money laundering prevalent in that sector.

Several anti-gambling groups supported Bergin’s proposal along with Victor Dominello, the previous gaming minister. He was eventually taken out of the portfolio following ClubsNSW’s lobbying attempts against the proposal.

The crime commission’s report concerning pubs and clubs’ money laundering released this week claimed that the gambling card would fight against “a $95bn-a-year information black hole”.

The proposal was made after the NSW government ruled against letting clubs make use of facial recognition technology in order to place bans on customers who were removed from establishments due to their disorderly conduct or abuse of alcohol.

At the time, the clubs lobby opined that the technology would be ineffective and cost-prohibitive. However, it now advocates for its importance as a tool to curb money laundering and reduce harm.

Greenwich, however, expressed criticism concerning both major parties and accused them of consulting with bodies that stand to gain from not taking action. He also said the major parties were “pandering” to the club’s lobby.

“This is not a new proposal, it’s backed by NSW Crime Commission, and I think the electorate are looking for Labor to have some bold and different policies and not just sit on the fence,” Greenwich said.

“It’s concerning that [both parties] are consulting with the bodies who have financial benefit from not taking action, who cause gambling harm, and who want to turn a blind eye to the money laundering happening in clubs and pubs.

“It’s the equivalent of forming your drink-driving policies by consulting with the alcohol industry.”

The Department of Liquor and Gaming announced that it was in the process of composing guidelines for the use of facial recognition technology. A spokesperson from the department revealed that it would be used to keep track of people “excluded from gambling, either by themselves or family and friends, or people convicted or suspected of serious crimes”.

People who had committed one-off offenses like being intoxicated on club premises were exempted from this.

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