New South Wales has hit a devastating new low with record high losses hitting a staggering, and arguably avoidable, $8.64 billion for 2024 according to the latest Liquor and Gaming data just published. This represents a year on year increase of 6.3 %, close to double the rate of inflation for the same period.
Despite being elected on a platform that promised to curb the State’s poker machine scourge, the Minns government’s modest reforms, including banning of political donations from clubs and pubs with poker machines and enforcing the ban on VIP Room signage on pubs and clubs have had zero to negligible impact on reducing gambling losses, and therefore harm.
Wesley Mission CEO, Rev Stu Cameron, says the Government’s continued inaction in implementing substantive reforms is frustrating.
“It beggars belief that midway through the Government’s term, New South Wales operates in an even more chaotic, conflicting environment. There are more poker machines and record-breaking losses, resulting in a public health crisis of gambling harm. The government’s reforms appear to have achieved nothing in curbing the worsening crisis.
“If the government were to receive a mid-term report card, the overall community sentiment would be: ’Not working to their full potential, could do better if they applied themselves’. This 6% plus increase on 2023’s poker machine losses isn’t an anomaly. It is a direct result of a failure to implement reforms with real teeth.”
Two years into the parliamentary term, the Minns government has yet to move decisively on reforms that could make a genuine difference in reducing gambling harm. Clear solutions are available but to date the government appears unwilling to confront a powerful gambling industry.
Rev Cameron maintains a cashless gambling card with mandatory loss limits and reduced gambling room opening hours are essential, evidence-based measures the government can and should commit to.
“While it will take time to roll out a mandatory cashless card, we already know the technology works. Last year’s pre-implementation testing reinforced it and the technology is already operational at Crown Casino in Sydney and Melbourne, with high take-up rates.
“Powering down poker machines in NSW from midnight to 10am is a reform that could be implemented quickly and would have an immediate impact on reducing the record levels of gambling harm now being experienced.
“We are in the grip of a preventable public health crisis where New South Wales families are paying the price. The government needs to ask itself: are they here to serve the people of New South Wales or to protect the profits of pubs and clubs? Strong leadership means making tough, principled decisions. The time to act is now.”
