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Fresh Start for NSW gambling reform – NO need for cashless card trial

With the weekend’s State election heralding a “Fresh start for NSW”, Wesley Mission will be strongly encouraging the Minns Government to improve upon its proposed 500 machine cashless card trial.

Wesley Mission CEO and gambling reform advocate, Rev Stu Cameron, says when it comes to mandatory, cashless gaming cards there is no need for another trial. 

“We congratulate the new Labor government and the incoming Premier Mr Minns on their victory and look forward to working with the new government constructively over the next four years.

“It’s important that this fresh start for NSW includes some real action for gambling reform, including a mandatory cashless card for poker machines.  The evidence for a cashless card is there. The technology is there, with NSW casinos committed to implementing them within two years. Most importantly, the community appetite for this reform is very much there.” 

A recent YouGov survey, commissioned by Wesley Mission, found 76% of adults in NSW support the introduction of cashless gambling cards – not another trial. 

The release of AIFS (Australian Institute of Family Studies) findings into Gambling participation, experience of harm and community views further highlighted true inter-generational concern across several gambling issues.

Cameron added, an election result doesn’t change the need for urgent reform, it highlights it. 

“In coming days, 2022 Quarter 4 poker machine statistics will be published confirming NSW residents lost more than $8 billion in a year to an industry reliant on addiction and its miseries. 

“We are committed to working with the Minns Government to ensure the overwhelming community expectation around genuine gambling reform is met in the next term of parliament.

A broad-based gambling reform coalition is building and will only grow stronger. Together, we can act to prevent and reduce gambling harm.

Background

Research company YouGov surveyed 1045 NSW adults from March 2-7, 2023.

Wesley Mission provides practical care and support for more than 130,000 people annually in NSW and across Australia, including help for people experiencing homelessness, local community action groups preventing suicide, and gambling and financial counselling among more than 120 programs. www.wesleymission.org.au

Wesley Mission is currently running the ‘Pokies. You’re Being Played’ campaign to keep poker machine reform on the agenda as the new parliament begins next month. People can make a stand to support poker machine reform by signing up at: www.yourebeingplayed.com.au

Rev Stu Cameron is available for interview.

Media contacts:

Anne Holt on 0418 628 342 or anne.holt@wesleymission.org.au

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