Pressure is mounting on the NSW Government to act on poker machine gambling harm after Lismore City Council last week became the latest council to join a growing movement backing practical reform.
The Council last week voted to support Wesley Mission’s Put Pokies in Their Place campaign after figures revealed people in the Lismore LGA lost $6.35 million on poker machines in just three months. At the current rate the community is on track to lose around $25 million this year.
Lismore City Council Mayor, Cr Steve Krieg, says the Council is proud to support Wesley Mission’s Put Pokies in Their Place campaign.
“Lismore City Council is proud to support Wesley Mission’s Put Pokies in Their Place campaign because it is focused on reducing gambling harm and creating safer healthier communities.
We recognise the important work Wesley Mission is doing to advocate for sensible evidence-based reforms and we encourage the NSW Government to give these proposals serious consideration to help better protect vulnerable people and their families.”
The motion was moved by Councillor Harper Dalton-Earls, who says practical gambling reform is about putting people before poker machine profits.
“Every dollar lost to poker machines is money that is not being spent supporting local families, businesses and our community. This motion sends a clear message that Lismore wants practical reforms that reduce gambling harm while allowing people to enjoy a night out responsibly.
Local councils see the impact of gambling harm every day. We are calling on the NSW Government to act because communities cannot afford to keep waiting.”
Wesley Mission General Manager, Joel MacKay, says Lismore’s decision reflects growing community frustration with gambling harm and increasing momentum for reform across NSW.
“Council after council is sending the same message. Communities have had a gutful of gambling harm. Lismore joins a growing number of councils calling for practical reforms that reduce gambling harm.
Mr MacKay says local governments are stepping up because they see the impact of gambling harm every day even though they do not have the power to regulate poker machines.
“Councils deal with the social consequences of gambling harm. The responsibility for reform sits with the NSW Government.
“Powering down poker machines between midnight and 10 am and introducing mandatory carded play with built-in harm minimisation measures are practical reforms that would save families millions of dollars every year.”
Lismore residents lose almost $70,000 every day on poker machines during the first quarter of 2026. Losses increase by almost 11 per cent compared with the same period last year making Lismore one of the fastest-growing regional gambling loss hotspots in NSW.
Mr MacKay says the message from councils across the state is becoming impossible to ignore.
“The reform momentum is building. Communities are putting people first. It is time for the NSW Government to put pokies in their place.”