Poker machines across the State are to go cashless by 2028 in a bid to stop money laundering.
The announcement from Premier Dominic Perrottet follows the NSW Crime Commission’s report into money laundering in electronic gaming machines.
Mr Perrottet said this would be one of the biggest gambling reforms ever undertaken in Australia, with the date to be locked in through legislation and introduced into Parliament this year.
“The package will provide support for pubs and clubs to transition to cashless gaming, ensure continued support for community organisations, funding for diversification into new business areas, as well as dedicated extra support to ensure the ongoing viability of regional and small venues,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Cashless gaming will include a number of features to curb problem gambling, including mandatory self-imposed limits and cooling-off periods, breaks in play, prohibiting the transfer of funds from credit-cards and prohibiting automatic top-ups,” he said.
“This will be complemented by other system-wide changes such as self-exclusions and third-party exclusions, prohibiting the use of VIP Lounge signage and prohibiting political donations from both pubs and clubs.”
Mr Perrottet said an independent Transition Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, would also be established.
He said the Taskforce would operate from April 2023 throughout the duration of the transition, and would provide a roadmap to deliver state-wide cashless gaming by 2028, with the full rollout commencing in early 2024.
The Taskforce is to include representatives from NSW Police, Liquor and Gaming NSW, NSW Treasury, the Department of Customer Service, the NSW Privacy Commissioner, industry, and harm minimisation experts.
