Minns Government Set to Deliver Bigger & Broader Cashless Gaming Trial

This expanded trial will include around 4500 machines across 28 clubs and hotels across 24 metropolitan and regional local government areas. 

The Independent Panel has endorsed a broad range of venues of various sizes for the trial, ensuring information can be collected and recommendations developed for the NSW Government. To participate in the trial, minimum requirements included harm minimisation protections, anti-money laundering protections, data security and privacy protections. 

Five technology providers have been given conditional approval to participate in the extended trial, subject to essential cybersecurity requirements. 

These new machines are in addition to more than 250 machines that have already completed trials at Wests Newcastle and Club York, providing important early insights to the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform. 

Beginning in the first quarter of 2024, the new venues will provide insights into the use of cashless gaming technology in clubs and hotels, particularly on reducing gambling harm and money laundering, and impacts on club and hotel employees as well as infrastructure requirements and costs. The information gathered will give valuable insight considering no jurisdiction in Australia has implemented a statewide cashless gaming system. 

The cashless gaming trial is being overseen by the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform, which was established by the NSW Government in July. The Panel brings together representatives from industry, including ClubsNSW, harm minimisation groups, academia, law enforcement, unions and a person with lived experience to find consensus on a pathway for gambling reform in NSW. 

The Independent Panel is scheduled to provide a gaming reform report to the NSW Government by November 2024, which will include information from the cashless gaming trial. 

The Government has already implemented a number of gaming reforms, including: 

• Reducing the cash input limit from $5,000 to $500 for all new poker machines from 1 July 
• Reducing the statewide cap on gaming machine entitlements by more than 3,000 
• Banning political donations from clubs involved in gaming
• Removing VIP gaming signage across NSW 
• Investing $100 million into gambling harm minimisation over the next four years. 

Further information about the trial can be found on the NSW Liquor and Gaming website here.

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the trial will deliver nine times more machines than the Government committed to during their election campaign. 

“The Independent Panel has lit the next step in our reform agenda. I want to thank Mr Foggo and the Panel for their ongoing work coming together to build consensus. 

“The strong interest in participating in the cashless gaming trial proves just how serious clubs and hotels are about working with the Government to reduce gambling harm and money laundering associated with electronic gaming machines. 

“The industry is clearly behind us as we undergo these landmark gaming reforms as part of our commitment to addressing money laundering and gambling harm in NSW.” 

Panel Chair Michael Foggo said he is looking forward to working with the trial participants in the coming months. 

“The independent panel – which comprises key industry, law enforcement, community, and harm minimisation representatives – has been buoyed by the large number of applications it received for the trial. 

“This demonstrates the depth of genuine support this trial has in the industry and its commitment to addressing gambling harm and money laundering.”