Regulators forced to show full hand likely to reveal even more money laundering through pokies

According to Wesley Mission a parliamentary order to force the State’s gambling regulators to show their full hand of surveillance data and compliance checks on pubs and clubs with pokies adds more momentum towards introducing a cashless gambling card.

Wesley Mission CEO and Superintendent, Rev Stu Cameron, says Independent Sydney MP, Alex Greenwich’s push for the parliamentary order demonstrated his tenacity for gambling reform and greater transparency.  

“Alex has been a passionate advocate for real gambling reform in NSW and a vocal supporter for the implementation of a cashless card in keeping with the NSW Crime Commissioner’s recommendation. “

The overwhelming bipartisan and independent support to enforce the parliamentary order echoes the sentiment of the NSW people. 

“It couldn’t be any clearer. As a society, we have had a gutful of gambling and all the criminal activity and misery that goes with it, says Cameron.

There is little doubt analysis of any additional data and information will confirm the extent of money laundering through poker machines is far worse than what the NSW Crime Commission was able to document in its 2022 Report.

A recent survey conducted by Wesley Mission revealed that a majority (56.7%) feel the NSW government should abandon plans for a 500-machine trial and instead follow the NSW Crime Commissioner’s recommendation to fully implement a cashless system for poker machines. Such a card would not only prevent money laundering, but dramatically reduce the harm caused by poker machines.

Cameron says, “The public movement for change is real and gathering momentum. The broad political support for the parliamentary order is testament to that. It is time for real reform.  It is time for a cashless card.”