New South Wales isn’t just Australia’s poker machine capital – it’s the global epicentre.
Stu Cameron, CEO of Wesley Mission, isn't pulling any punches. In a recent radio interview, he laid bare the truth about gambling harm in NSW, warning of the devastating human cost hidden behind the flashing lights and the false promise of jackpots.
Now, Crown Casino is pushing to install 500 cashless poker machines at Barangaroo, claiming it's a step towards harm reduction if they remove 500 old ones elsewhere. Stu Cameron says the proposed swap misses the point entirely. It’s not harm reduction. It's a shell game.
A broken system: 88,000+ machines and rising
Despite repeated government promises to rein in poker machine numbers, they've increased by nearly 1,000 in the Minns Government's first two years. That's the stark finding from the NSW Auditor-General's recent report. At this rate, it could take a staggering 55 years for NSW to even hit the national average for machine density.
There are nearly 95,000 poker machine licences cluttering NSW – enough for almost one machine for every 100 residents. Think about that. And in some areas, it’s far worse.
“In the Fairfield LGA, there’s one machine for every 55 men, women and children,” Stu says. “It’s staggering. Read that again. One machine for every 55 people.”
This isn't just a statistic. This is a saturation point.
A harm reduction mirage
The latest offer from Crown Casino – 500 new cashless machines in exchange for 500 old ones – is being spun as harm reduction. Stu Cameron cuts through the spin:
“It’s not.”
He’s crystal clear. “We don’t need to move machines around venues,” he explains. “That’s rearranging deck chairs. We need to see a fundamental, statewide reduction in machines. Period.”
He points to Crown Melbourne, where 2,500 machines already operate with cashless technology, used by hundreds of thousands of patrons. The tech works. People will use it. The problem isn't the technology itself.
Why cashless tech matters
Stu Cameron supports a mandatory transition to cashless gambling, but only if it's backed by a truly robust, non-negotiable harm prevention framework.
Done right, cashless tech must include:
- Mandatory breaks in play: Forcing pauses, breaking the trance.
- Pre-set spending limits: Limits set by the player, enforced by the machine.
- Real-time player data oversight: Data visible to the player, helping them see their reality.
- Independent monitoring: Free from industry influence, accountable to the public.
These tools help people stay in control. They are proven ways to reduce gambling harm.
“We don’t need more pilots. We don’t need more panels. We don’t need more excuses,” Stu says. “We need the political courage to act on what we already know works. Now.”
Communities paying the price
This isn't some abstract societal ill that affects everyone equally. Gambling harm hits hardest where people can least afford it. Lower-income communities in NSW are being bled dry.
In Fairfield, annual poker machine losses are around $3,000 per person. Think about that. $3,000 ripped from wallets and families in just one postcode. Money that should be putting food on the table, paying the rent, buying schoolbooks.
Stu urges the government to stop scattering resources and focus harm reduction efforts precisely where the damage is done:
“The harm is concentrated – devastatingly so. So the solutions must be too. Go to the postcodes that are suffering the most and throw everything at helping those communities heal.”
It’s time to act
There’s no shortage of evidence, no lack of reports, no room for doubt. From the NSW Auditor-General's damning findings to major federal inquiries like the Murphy report – the message is deafeningly clear: genuine, impactful harm reduction is essential, long overdue, and achievable.
The community has had a gutful,” Stu says. It's beyond time for talk. It’s time for governments – state and federal – to finally do what is right, what is necessary, and what is fearless.
Stop the spin. Stop the delays. Stop the harm. Act now.
Need help or ready to join the fight?
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, you’re not alone. Support is available now.
Visit https://www.wesleymission.org.au/get-support/financial-wellbeing-support/gambleaware/ or call 1800 858 858 for free and confidential support.
This is a crisis. We need you in this fight for Gambling Reform. Join the movement.
https://wesleymission.org.au/gamblingreform
This article was based on an interview between Rev Stu Cameron and Ron Wilson from Radio 2SM Breakfast show. Listen here: https://omny.fm/shows/ronwilson/stu-cameron-ceo-of-wesley-mission-17-06-25
