Public Invited to Have Their Say on Next Tranche of Gaming Reforms

From Sunday, 16 February the community can give feedback on consultation papers for a proposed third-party exclusion scheme and proposed mandatory facial recognition technology to support a state-wide exclusion register for NSW hotels and clubs with gaming machines.

It is proposed that facial recognition technology will support gambling harm-minimisation by removing the guesswork of staff identifying excluded patrons. There would still need to be human interaction to verify the match made by the system. 

The Government is building strict parameters into the reforms to protect people’s privacy to ensure hotels and clubs can only use facial recognition for the purpose of identifying excluded patrons. Venues will be prohibited from using the technology for customer tracking, surveillance and marketing purposes.

The Government is also delivering on its election commitment to introduce a third-party exclusion scheme that would allow family, friends and venues to apply to ban someone experiencing significant gambling harm.

It is proposed the minimum period for an exclusion order would be 12 months, with a maximum period of two or three years, with a temporary exclusion of 21 days while an application is considered. 

In addition to the consultation papers, the Government has also developed a draft facial recognition Code of Practice that gives pubs and clubs already operating the technology guidelines to support identification of self-excluded patrons. 

The code has been developed over several rounds of consultation with government, industry and community stakeholders, including cyber security and privacy experts. 

The Independent Panel for Gaming Reform provided advice on considerations for third party exclusion and facial recognition technology in its Roadmap Report. The issues raised in this advice were incorporated in both discussion papers.

• The Third-Party Exclusion Consultation Paper is available here.
• The Facial Recognition Technology in Pubs and Clubs Consultation Paper is available here. 

The consultation period will close on 14 March 2025. 

Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said the Minns Labor Government is committed to addressing gambling harm through evidence-based policy and that it’s important to get the balance right. 

“Third-party exclusions are designed to help those experiencing gambling harm and their loved ones when other avenues to seek help may have failed. It recognises the physical, psychological, emotional and financial flow-on effects of gambling on a person’s family and friends,” said Minister Harris. 

“This is complex reform which is why we are seeking feedback on a range of issues. I encourage everyone to have their say on these important harm-minimisation measures.”

The ClubsNSW Policy & Government team issued a circular providing more information on the above. To view it, click here.