Fresh Start for NSW gambling reform – NO need for cashless card trial
With the weekend's State election heralding a "Fresh start for NSW", Wesley Mission will be strongly encouraging the Minns Government to improve upon its proposed 500 machine cashless card trial.
Wesley Mission CEO and gambling reform advocate, Rev Stu Cameron, says when it comes to mandatory, cashless gaming cards there is no need for another trial.
"We congratulate the new Labor government and the incoming Premier Mr Minns on their victory and look forward to working with the new government constructively over the next four years.
"It's important that this fresh start for NSW includes some real action for gambling reform, including a mandatory cashless card for poker machines. The evidence for a cashless card is there. The technology is there, with NSW casinos committed to implementing them within two years. Most importantly, the community appetite for this reform is very much there."
A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by Wesley Mission, found 76% of adults in NSW support the introduction of cashless gambling cards - not another trial.
The release of AIFS (Australian Institute of Family Studies) findings into Gambling participation, experience of harm and community views further highlighted true inter-generational concern across several gambling issues.
Cameron added, an election result doesn't change the need for urgent reform, it highlights it.
"In coming days, 2022 Quarter 4 poker machine statistics will be published confirming NSW residents lost more than $8 billion in a year to an industry reliant on addiction and its miseries.
A broad-based gambling reform coalition is building and will only grow stronger. Together, we can act to prevent and reduce gambling harm.
