Key Points
- A motion to reduce NSW poker machines from approximately 90,000 to 45,000 within ten years will be debated at Labor’s state conference in July
- Support spans both progressive and moderate wings of the party, with endorsement from Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey
- Inner West mayor Darcy Byrne spearheads the initiative, citing overwhelming public demand for reducing gambling-related harm
- Recent government measures include mandatory 6-hour shutdown periods and lower cash-loading caps on new machines
- AUSTRAC recently mandated external auditing for a Sydney club amid money-laundering concerns linked to gaming machines
The New South Wales Labor Party is gearing up to consider a significant policy shift that would see the state’s poker machine fleet cut in half over a ten-year period. If adopted, the measure would reduce gaming machines from their current level of approximately 90,000 to roughly 45,000.
This motion is slated as a major agenda item for the party’s upcoming state conference scheduled for July. It has attracted endorsements from multiple internal groups within the party.
Broad Coalition Forms Around Gaming Machine Reduction
Darcy Byrne, who serves as mayor of Inner West Council, is championing the initiative. His efforts have secured commitments from both progressive and moderate factions within Labor.
Mark Morey, secretary of Unions NSW, has lent his influential voice to the campaign. Morey emphasized that recent experience demonstrates the necessity of reducing machine numbers.
He further advocated that establishments operating more than 20 gaming machines should face casino-level regulatory oversight. Byrne maintains that rank-and-file Labor members and the broader community are strongly in favor of measures to minimize harm from poker machines.
Byrne stressed that such a critical policy matter shouldn’t rest solely with parliamentary representatives. The widespread backing indicates the motion stands a strong likelihood of progression during the conference.
The vast majority of NSW’s gaming machines operate within licensed clubs and hotels. July’s conference agenda is also anticipated to address compensation mechanisms for establishments that would see their machine allocations reduced or eliminated.
This forms part of wider discussions regarding transition management strategies. Despite conducting recent pilot programs, the state administration has not yet committed to implementing cashless gaming technology across all venues.
Current Wave of Gaming Machine Regulations in NSW
Cashless payment systems have been deployed at The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney casino properties. Nevertheless, expanding this technology to clubs and pubs throughout the state remains undecided.
The government has already enacted numerous regulatory changes. Among them is a uniform 6-hour shutdown requirement running from 4 AM to 10 AM, during which all licensed venues must deactivate their gaming machines.
Newer gaming machines are now restricted to AU$500 maximum cash loading, a significant decrease from the previous AU$5,000 threshold. The government has also implemented yearly machine entitlement forfeitures designed to gradually decrease the statewide total.
Clubs with electronic gaming machine operations are now prohibited from making political contributions. Signage advertising gaming activities cannot be displayed on external premises.
Establishments holding more than 20 gaming machine licenses must now designate responsible gambling officers. These regulations were implemented prior to the current campaign advocating for a 50% reduction.
The policy discussion coincides with heightened regulatory monitoring. AUSTRAC, Australia’s financial intelligence agency, issued a directive last week requiring Bankstown District Sports Club in Sydney’s southwest to engage an independent auditor.
The directive stemmed from concerns regarding potential inadequacies in the club’s anti-money-laundering safeguards. Authorities fear criminal organizations might be exploiting gaming machines at the location.
This development intensifies pressure on licensed venues statewide. As Labor prepares to debate substantial machine number reductions, poker machine harm is poised to remain a prominent issue leading up to the July gathering.
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