Cashless Gaming Trial Reportedly Flooded with Applications Wanting to Participate
SYDNEY, Australia (November 10, 2023) — According to local media reports a cashless gaming trial, set to roll out in venues across NSW, could involve ten (10) times as many poker machines as initially promised.
The Associated Press reported that an independent panel overseeing the gaming reform says it is pleased with the flurry of applications from clubs, hotels and technology providers wanting to take part.
The trial could involve as many as 5909 machines, substantially more than the 500 initially proposed by Premier Chris Minns earlier this year.
Pubs and clubs in metropolitan and regional NSW, including the state’s second-biggest gaming club West HQ, in the western Sydney suburb of Rooty Hill, have reportedly applied to take part.
Thirty venues across as many metropolitan local government areas pledged 4476 gaming machines, while 12 regional venues put forward 1433 gaming machines.
The trial formed part of the gambling reform package Labor took to the March election, when it was criticised for failing to match the coalition’s promise to introduce mandatory cashless gaming cards across the state.
A 16-member panel of police, industry representatives and health experts will supervise the program before recommending reforms.
Chaired by former liquor and gaming commissioner Michael Foggo, the panel will decide which clubs and pubs will participate in the trial and how many machines will be involved.
Venues and technology providers will be finalised over the next month with a report due to be handed to the government by November 2024.
A cash feed-in limit of $500 on new machines came into effect in July as part of changes designed to help curb problem gambling and money laundering.
More than 80,000 poker machines operate in NSW.
SOURCE: Australian Associated Press.
