New South Wales Politicians Firm on Planned Gaming Overhauls Despite Approaching Elections
Upcoming elections in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, on March 25 will decide the fate of 93 seats in the Legislative Assembly and half of the seats in the Legislative Council. Regardless of the election results, gambling reform is imminent.
Current Premier Dominic Perrottet aims to extend his tenure for another four years, thus maintaining a 16-year reign at the helm. However, Chris Minns, the leader of the NSW Labor Party, is seen as a strong contender to dethrone him. Odds favor Perrottet at the moment.
Both politicians advocate for tighter regulations in the gambling sector.
For Minns, this involves initiating a cashless gaming pilot and banning political donations, as well as mandating the appointment of responsible gaming officers in bars and other gambling venues. He plans to trial 500 machines to assess the technology more thoroughly, resulting in a gradual transition towards full cashless gaming.
Independents Alex Greenwich and Greg Piper, currently part of the Legislative Assembly, have expressed their intent to support Minns if he adopts stricter gambling policies, as reported by Western Australia Today.
Party Stances on Gambling
These elections could mark a significant shift in Australia's political landscape. The nature of gambling reform will largely depend on the party in power post-elections and their ability to overcome anticipated resistance.
Here's where each party stands:
Incumbents
- Prohibition of cash gambling in bars and non-casino venues from 2029
- Financial aid of AU$50,000 (US$33,170) for bars and clubs to explore alternate income sources
- Interest-free loans for cashless gaming machine acquisitions
- Machine buyback program to retire up to 2,000 current machines
- Ban on political donations by bars and clubs offering gambling
- Prohibition of slot machine advertising on the premises' exteriors
Labor Party
- Cashless gaming machine pilot involving 500 units
- Immediate reduction in feed-in limits from AU$5,000 to $331.70
- Ban on political donations by bars and clubs offering gambling
- Prohibition of slot machine advertising on the premises' exteriors
- Machine buyback program to retire up to 2,000 current machines
- Responsible gaming officers in venues
- Third-party exclusion and mandatory facial recognition solution
