A recent leak from New South Wales's independent gambling reform panel has sparked widespread outrage and concern. The newly revealed recommendations suggest allowing anonymous gambling on poker machines until 2028, raising alarms among anti-gambling advocates and political leaders alike.
The draft report, entitled "Roadmap for Gaming Reform," details several key recommendations. Perhaps the most contentious is the proposal to maintain current operating hours for poker machines, which critics have labeled as absurd. The proposal does not suggest any reduction to existing hours, continuing to allow gambling late at night, which many believe exacerbates gambling addiction and associated harms.
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann vocally criticized the report, indicating, "Waiting until 2028 for mandatory cashless gambling is unacceptable. If the government truly aims to tackle gambling addiction, they must act now, not delay for years. We need effective strategies with immediate implementation, not procrastination." Faehrmann's remarks echo the sentiment among many community leaders and activists who are calling for immediate reforms.
The push for reform gained momentum after the NSW Crime Commission issued alarming findings two years ago, warning of rampant money laundering through gambling at local pubs and clubs. According to the Commission, billions of dollars categorized as "dirty money" were flowing through poker machines, indicating the desperate need for tighter regulations and cashless gambling options.
Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, expressed his disappointment at the recommendations, dubbing them as "glacial improvements." He noted, "The accessibility and availability of poker machines, through operating hours, are doing the damage. Allowing business as usual at this level only encourages more problems, which is clearly the industry's win." Costello’s perspective aligns with broader calls from health advocates stressing the importance of limiting the accessibility of gambling machines to mitigate related harms.
The report also suggested retirees should be able to top up their player accounts with cash at gaming machines or cashiers. This element was intended to strike a balance between maintaining some accessibility for casual players and introducing more structured monitoring to mitigate risks associated with gambling. Nonetheless, the delay before implementing mandatory cashless systems raises concerns over the effectiveness of such measures.
The criticisms extend to the executive committee members tasked with formulating the recommendations. The committee includes Michael Foggo, former commissioner of NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing; Dr. Ursula Stephens, former NSW Labor senator; and Niall Blair, former deputy leader of the NSW Nationals. There are calls for greater transparency about their discussions, especially considering there seems to be no unified agreement among panel members concerning the recommendations proposed.
Among the leaked recommendations, one notable call is to retain the current shutdown period for poker machines, which is set at six hours, starting no later than 4 AM. Many public health advocates argue, like Wesley Mission, who has previously requested longer shutdowns for gambling venues, advocating for periods as long as ten hours to limit the opportunity for late-night gambling.
Public health experts, such as Samantha Thomas from Deakin University, voice strong objections against the report's conclusions. Thomas emphasized evidence from independent research showing links between extended poker machine availability and escalated gambling-related harm. “It is perplexing why the committee would resist evidence showing limiting hours is pivotal for reducing gambling access,” she stated. “This seems counterintuitive to the aim of reducing gambling addiction and associated social issues.”
Supporters of the committee argue some measures included could pave the way for smarter regulation. For example, the committee has proposed developing an ‘account-based gaming system’ set to launch for trial use by clubs as soon as 2026. While the design phase appears promising, experts fear the interim recommendations leave vulnerable players exposed until significant changes are enacted.
Another aspect of the recommendations indicates exploring the option of more detailed signage within venues. The idea would entail explicitly explaining how gambling machines work, indicating all players are subject to luck rather than influence. While educational efforts are welcomed, there is skepticism about their adequacy without concrete regulatory changes to enforce cashless systems and limit machine availability.
With various stakeholders leaping to criticize or defend the leaked proposals, the government is now under intense pressure to respond. A spokesperson for NSW Gaming Minister David Harris stated, "We will assess the report’s recommendations thoroughly upon receipt, and will not engage speculatively with the contents." This response has done little to quell discontent among advocates tirelessly pushing for urgent reform.
While the outcomes of these discussions are still pending, one aspect appears clear: the pressure for reform is mounting. Health advocates caution against complacency, emphasizing the detrimental impacts of gambling addiction on individuals and families alike. The fallout from this leaked report is certain to echo through political corridors well beyond 2024.
It remains to be seen how the NSW government will react to the growing chorus of dissent against the draft recommendations. With advocacy groups and political parties advocating for swift changes to gambling regulations, the stakes are higher than ever for communities grappling with the adverse impacts of poker machine gaming.
