"This is about looking after the vulnerable": Major gambling reform unveiled
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet plans to spend $340 million to overhaul the NSW gambling industry in what he describes as the largest social, community and law enforcement reforms in the state’s history.
In order to stop problem gambling and eliminate money laundering in pubs and clubs, NSW is set to roll out cashless poker machines.
There will be an introduction of mandatory cashless gambling across all venues in NSW. Any new machines purchased are required to be cashless and the roll out of the digital machines will begin early next year.
The plan is for poker machines in NSW to be entirely cashless by 2028. It is an enormous transition. “I’ll work to ensure no-one is left behind, that no jobs are lost,” Perrottet said.
The plan will provide no-interest loans for small and medium venues to assist them with the roll out of the cashless technology. It also provides a one-off $50,000 “diversification” grant for venues to invest in new income.
Gamblers will also be able to set a daily limit for themselves, which will be locked for seven days in order to stop spending more than planned, and they will only be able to use money from their personal bank account; credit cards will no longer be accepted.
“Today, we fix money laundering, we fix problem gambling and we support pubs and clubs across New South Wales,” Perrottet said.
The reform is the result of a report released by the NSW Police Commission which had recommended many of the changes in attempt to stop money laundering.
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