Australia: NSW club to start trial of cashless slot machines

The New Lambton club will be the first venue to test cashless slot machines in New South Wales, Australia.

Australia.- The New Lambton club will be the first venue to introduce cashless slots from September.

The machines will include spending limits, time limits and real-time messaging to customers to collaborate with responsible gambling measures.

According to local media, Victor Dominello, customer service minister, said cashless poker machines will help the club combat money laundering and problem gambling, addressing the key concerns of the Bergin Inquiry.

Cashless gambling was suggested by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin in her report following New South Wales’ inquiry into Crown Resorts’ suitability to hold its licence for its new Sydney casino.

Members of religious institutions and community service organisations have also expressed their support for cashless gambling in New South Wales.

Rev Simon Hansford, moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW, and Rev Stu Cameron, CEO and superintendent of Wesley Mission, have expressed their support for the cashless gambling measure and its extension to other operators.

Cameron said: “A radical change such as this move towards cashless gambling could have a considerable impact on people who are experiencing gambling harm, which is a significant number of people in NSW.”

Rev Tim Costello, chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, has said the cashless gambling system should be linked to verified ID and to self-exclusion registers.

He also said it must include low load limits to ensure people regularly take breaks from gambling. He again called for a ban on credit card gambling.