Cash Input Limits for Electronic Gaming Machines to be Reduced

June 28, 2023 | Gaming Machines

SYDNEY, NSW (June 23, 2023) — The NSW Government is delivering on a key election commitment to address the prevalence of money laundering and problematic gambling behaviour.

From 1 July 2023, the Government will mandate that all new electronic gaming machines must have a cash input limit of $500 – a tenfold reduction from the current limit of $5,000.

This measure goes directly to Crime Commission’s Inquiry into Money Laundering via Electronic Gaming Machines in Hotels and Clubs, which found that NSW has the highest input limits in the country, representing a clear money laundering vulnerability.

The Inquiry found that a significant portion of the money gambled through electronic gaming machines across pubs and clubs in NSW is the proceeds of crime.

Under section 62 of the Gaming Machines Act 2001, the new requirement will be implemented by the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) issuing a circular to make the necessary changes to the Technical Standards. The ILGA Gaming Machine Technical Standard Circular of 6 June 2023 updates the previous ILGA Technical Standard Circular of 11 September 2019.

The reduced cash input limit will not apply retrospectively to any electronic gaming machines that were previously installed in a hotel or club prior to 1 July 2023.

The Star Sydney casino will not be subject to this new input limit because casinos will need to implement cashless player cards for all gaming conducted at the casino from 19 August 2024.