Postponed cashless gaming trial sees NSW Gov. face accusations

The New South Wales government is facing allegations of succumbing to pressure from gambling lobbyists after confirming a delay in the scheduled cashless gaming trial.

The Minns Labor government had planned to start the trial involving 500 poker machines in clubs and pubs on July 1st. However, there has been a delay in appointing an overseeing panel for the trial, as reported by David Harris, the Minister for Gambling and Racing.

The panel, which will include industry and law enforcement members, as well as professionals in health, gambling, and academia, will be required to design a trial that assesses the effects of cashless gambling. The trial will take into consideration, various technologies, the required infrastructure investments, and the impact on industry and employment. It will also check the efficacy of the technology in mitigating gambling addiction.

Harris said “I have consulted with a range of stakeholders about the panel, including harm minimisation groups, industry representatives and Members of Parliament.”

“We are in the final stages of putting the independent panel and a robust trial together, and we will have more to say about these changes over the next couple of weeks.”

The Minister, however, emphasized that despite the setback, the government remains dedicated to alleviating gambling-related harms and preventing money laundering, and has already taken some steps towards this.

But Cate Faehrmann of the Greens party has expressed concerns about this delay, seeing it as an evidence of the influence of the big players in the new parliament.

“This has all the hallmarks of the gambling industry running interference to delay the implementation of this trial,” Faehrmann said. “It doesn’t give you much confidence in the government’s cashless card trial if it can’t even establish a panel to oversee its implementation.”

The Member of the Legislative Council called on Minns to win back the trust of the gambling community. She said “Chris Minns must reassure the community that he will stand up to pressure from the gambling industry and not allow it to wreck the trial of a cashless gambling card before it’s even begun.”

Nationals MP, Kevin Anderson also called out the government, despite believing in the need for a trial, seeming to be puzzled as to the cause of a delay. He said “I know that the industry, the technology, and the department are ready for a cashless gaming trial, which leaves me wondering what the hold up could possibly be?”

It is not all doom and gloom though, as Independent MP Alex Greenwich, who also supports a gaming reform, refrained from criticizing the government and even welcomed the delay if it meant ensuring a more robust trial.

“I welcome the government’s approach, they’ve got to do it right,” Greenwich said. “They’re not going to rush it. We’ve got to make sure that this trial is as robust as possible. I have great confidence in the minister and in the government to be able to deliver that.”

The Cashless Gaming Trial is one of many other policies put forth by the government towards gaming reform. Other measures include a ban on ‘VIP lounge’ signs and every other form of external signage and reducing the overall number of gaming machines.

These policies reflect its commitment towards addressing various aspects of the gambling landscape in an effort to promote responsible gambling and minimise potential harms.

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