Do cashless pokies cause higher losses? Marjorie Preston - October 18, 2019. When it comes to gambling, Australians are, hands down, the world's biggest losers. On average, in 2017 every person in the Land Down Under lost the equivalent of AU$1,000. Cashless Pokies Coming to NSW? Pokies are massively popular in New South Wales, where their number (91,000) is only surpassed by the American state of Nevada. In 2019, profits in NSW pubs and clubs surged to over $6.5 billion, which is more than the GDP of Fiji. General keno. Cashless poker machines could be the way forward for NSW pubs and clubs, with players required to register for a government-issued gambling card and pre-load money onto it. The card would be linked to the state's exclusion register to block out self-excluded gamblers. NSW may move toward mandated cashless pokies. AGBrief Editorial - October 6, 2020. Patrons of poker machines in the state of New South Wales may soon be required to register for government-issued gambling cards and to be prevented from using cash.
Pokies are massively popular in New South Wales, where their number (91,000) is only surpassed by the American state of Nevada. In 2019, profits in NSW pubs and clubs surged to over $6.5 billion, which is more than the GDP of Fiji.
Despite this success, the government is working hard to fight addiction and others negatives associated with legal gambling. Since June of 2017, more than 1,350 pokies have been removed from venues. And now, the state looks poised to take additional actions that are sure to please anti-gambling advocates.
Cashless Poker Machines
According to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald, the NSW government is proposing a series of gambling reforms. If they pass, these reforms will require gamblers to register in order to receive a government-issued card.
The purpose of this card? Well, it's meant to replace cash at pubs and clubs. Money is loaded onto the card, and it's deducted as the player tries their luck on the pokies. It's similar in function to the Opal card, which is accepted on public transport services across NSW.
In addition, the card would be linked to the NSW exclusion register. If the holder was one of the state's thousands of self-excluded punters, then they would be unable to use it.
Previous Legislation
Last week, senior cabinet minister Victor Dominello unveiled a draft of harm minimization for the public. There was no mention of a gambling card, but it did suggest using facial recognition technology to identify problem gamblers.
Mr. Dominello has gathered crossbench support to make sure that any new legislation can pass. This includes both the Greens and Mark Latham of One Nation.
He also added that NSW held the title of 'poker machine capital of Australia.' And considering that the industry is worth $6 billion, he's determined to bring it into the modern age.
An Unexpected Surprise
Then, on Saturday, the NSW government made the proposal regarding cashless pokies. According to a spokeswoman for ClubsNSW, it 'appears to have caught everyone by surprise.'
At the moment, the government is waiting for additional information on how the card would work. They're specifically interested in safeguards to avoid any unforeseen negative consequences.
Reactions to the Proposal
While gambling clubs were blindsided by the proposal, their public reactions have been measured.
Hot slot machine. A spokeswoman for ClubsNSW said, 'ClubsNSW looks forward to the opportunity to engage with the NSW government in a construction and respectful manner.'
Meanwhile, a representative of Pyrmont's Star Casino said the organization looks 'forward to engaging with government on the details of what has been mentioned.'
While they've been respectful in their replies, the NSW gaming industry is likely to fight any changes. They have already criticized the harm minimization legislation, complaining that implementing facial recognition would cost millions. Since the cashless system would require replacing or modifying every pokie in the state, I expect the resistance to be fierce.
Meanwhile, some were quite pleased with the proposal. Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said the NSW government 'seems to have finally recognized the immense damage poker machines do in the state.'
An Influx of Punters
If cashless poker machines come to NSW, the timing couldn't be better. There's been a major influx of punters in gambling establishments, and many of them are coming from across the border.
Due to the coronavirus, clubs in the Australian Capital Territory remain closed as a precaution. However, punters from Canberra and others location are simply driving into NSW.
In August, a newspaper article stated that 40% of patrons in NSW border clubs were coming from NSW. In Queanbeyan, almost half the recent customers in pubs and clubs have journeyed from Canberra. Current safety measures require club patrons to sign in, so it's easy to keep track of where they come from.
According to Jeremy Wyatt, Queanbeyan Leagues Club general manager, 'Our trade has been up since reopening when compared to pre COVID-19 restrictions, we think largely due to the increase in patronage from the ACT.'
Additional Reading
For more news on gambling in Australia and abroad, take a look at the following:
Latest News
South Australians Rush Back to Pokies
December 4, 2020
No More Pokies for Geelong Cats
November 28, 2020
Crown Sydney Casino Opening on Hold
November 20, 2020
Man Sentenced for Gambling-Related Kidnapping
November 15, 2020
VCGLR taking a second look at putting cashless pokies machines in Victoria pubs and clubs.
For nearly two years, law makers all over Australia have been debating a number of laws directly effecting the way poker machines can, and cannot, be played. Just this month, the government sealed the deal on a law that prohibits all forms of online gambling, outside of sports betting. Now, Victoria is taking a second stab at a regulatory change that locals have already displayed great opposition to.
The Victoria Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) is keen on installing cashless poker machines at clubs and pubs. The new cashless gaming machines may be supported by local operators. However, in a previous push, the plan received strong opposition from the public, as well as anti-gaming crusaders.
These cashless pokies would no longer require players to insert actual cash notes into the machines to play. Instead, they would be able purchase pre-paid tickets. These tickets are then inserted into the poker machines to give players a balance.
Opposition Continues for Cashless Poker Machines
While regulators are of the opinion that this will help to reduce gambling spend and harm, anti-gambling advocates believe the opposite is true. They're assessment of the situation is that cashless pokies machines will give players a false sense that they're no longer spending real money.
Mark Zirnsak, a spokesperson for the InterChurch Gambling Taskforce, commented on the new cashless system concept. 'The Productivity Commission identified the risks of cashless gambling,' he warned. 'It can disguise the fact that people are losing real money, and may reinforce anonymous, intense and uninterrupted gambling'.
Cashless Pokies Images
Zirnsak went on to express his concern that, 'Allowing for cashless gambling on pokies is something the government should be stopping, not giving a green light.'
Patrick Hutchens, a spokesperson for the VCGLR, responded to such claims. He explained that the gaming regulator sees the matter in a different light; one that's been ultimately successful in larger Australia casino venues.
'Cashless gaming has operated at Crown Casino for several years and we understand some pubs and clubs are interested in introducing this technology at their venues,' he said.
Cashless Pokies Pics
Hutchens went on to assuage the dejected opinion of anti-gambling crusaders, who fear cashless poker machines will proliferate problem gambling in Victoria. 'We're currently considering appropriate harm minimisation measures for cashless gaming as part of our broader review of gaming machine regulations in Victoria.'
Cashless Pokies to Mimic Support for IGA?
In other gambling law news, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill received the final step in ascension last week. Following Parliamentary approval in March, and the Senate's official stamp in early August, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove signed the measure last week. With Royal Assent out of the way, the IGA will go into effect in mid-September.
Last week, senior cabinet minister Victor Dominello unveiled a draft of harm minimization for the public. There was no mention of a gambling card, but it did suggest using facial recognition technology to identify problem gamblers.
Mr. Dominello has gathered crossbench support to make sure that any new legislation can pass. This includes both the Greens and Mark Latham of One Nation.
He also added that NSW held the title of 'poker machine capital of Australia.' And considering that the industry is worth $6 billion, he's determined to bring it into the modern age.
An Unexpected Surprise
Then, on Saturday, the NSW government made the proposal regarding cashless pokies. According to a spokeswoman for ClubsNSW, it 'appears to have caught everyone by surprise.'
At the moment, the government is waiting for additional information on how the card would work. They're specifically interested in safeguards to avoid any unforeseen negative consequences.
Reactions to the Proposal
While gambling clubs were blindsided by the proposal, their public reactions have been measured.
Hot slot machine. A spokeswoman for ClubsNSW said, 'ClubsNSW looks forward to the opportunity to engage with the NSW government in a construction and respectful manner.'
Meanwhile, a representative of Pyrmont's Star Casino said the organization looks 'forward to engaging with government on the details of what has been mentioned.'
While they've been respectful in their replies, the NSW gaming industry is likely to fight any changes. They have already criticized the harm minimization legislation, complaining that implementing facial recognition would cost millions. Since the cashless system would require replacing or modifying every pokie in the state, I expect the resistance to be fierce.
Meanwhile, some were quite pleased with the proposal. Tim Costello, chief advocate of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, said the NSW government 'seems to have finally recognized the immense damage poker machines do in the state.'
An Influx of Punters
If cashless poker machines come to NSW, the timing couldn't be better. There's been a major influx of punters in gambling establishments, and many of them are coming from across the border.
Due to the coronavirus, clubs in the Australian Capital Territory remain closed as a precaution. However, punters from Canberra and others location are simply driving into NSW.
In August, a newspaper article stated that 40% of patrons in NSW border clubs were coming from NSW. In Queanbeyan, almost half the recent customers in pubs and clubs have journeyed from Canberra. Current safety measures require club patrons to sign in, so it's easy to keep track of where they come from.
According to Jeremy Wyatt, Queanbeyan Leagues Club general manager, 'Our trade has been up since reopening when compared to pre COVID-19 restrictions, we think largely due to the increase in patronage from the ACT.'
Additional Reading
For more news on gambling in Australia and abroad, take a look at the following:
Latest News
South Australians Rush Back to Pokies
December 4, 2020
No More Pokies for Geelong Cats
November 28, 2020
Crown Sydney Casino Opening on Hold
November 20, 2020
Man Sentenced for Gambling-Related Kidnapping
November 15, 2020
VCGLR taking a second look at putting cashless pokies machines in Victoria pubs and clubs.
For nearly two years, law makers all over Australia have been debating a number of laws directly effecting the way poker machines can, and cannot, be played. Just this month, the government sealed the deal on a law that prohibits all forms of online gambling, outside of sports betting. Now, Victoria is taking a second stab at a regulatory change that locals have already displayed great opposition to.
The Victoria Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation (VCGLR) is keen on installing cashless poker machines at clubs and pubs. The new cashless gaming machines may be supported by local operators. However, in a previous push, the plan received strong opposition from the public, as well as anti-gaming crusaders.
These cashless pokies would no longer require players to insert actual cash notes into the machines to play. Instead, they would be able purchase pre-paid tickets. These tickets are then inserted into the poker machines to give players a balance.
Opposition Continues for Cashless Poker Machines
While regulators are of the opinion that this will help to reduce gambling spend and harm, anti-gambling advocates believe the opposite is true. They're assessment of the situation is that cashless pokies machines will give players a false sense that they're no longer spending real money.
Mark Zirnsak, a spokesperson for the InterChurch Gambling Taskforce, commented on the new cashless system concept. 'The Productivity Commission identified the risks of cashless gambling,' he warned. 'It can disguise the fact that people are losing real money, and may reinforce anonymous, intense and uninterrupted gambling'.
Cashless Pokies Images
Zirnsak went on to express his concern that, 'Allowing for cashless gambling on pokies is something the government should be stopping, not giving a green light.'
Patrick Hutchens, a spokesperson for the VCGLR, responded to such claims. He explained that the gaming regulator sees the matter in a different light; one that's been ultimately successful in larger Australia casino venues.
'Cashless gaming has operated at Crown Casino for several years and we understand some pubs and clubs are interested in introducing this technology at their venues,' he said.
Cashless Pokies Pics
Hutchens went on to assuage the dejected opinion of anti-gambling crusaders, who fear cashless poker machines will proliferate problem gambling in Victoria. 'We're currently considering appropriate harm minimisation measures for cashless gaming as part of our broader review of gaming machine regulations in Victoria.'
Cashless Pokies to Mimic Support for IGA?
In other gambling law news, the Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill received the final step in ascension last week. Following Parliamentary approval in March, and the Senate's official stamp in early August, Governor-General Peter Cosgrove signed the measure last week. With Royal Assent out of the way, the IGA will go into effect in mid-September.
The IGA is effectively an update to the relatively antiquated text of the Interactive Gambling Act of 2001. The new version formally prohibits online gambling, including interactive casinos and poker games, by requiring operators to acquire a jurisdictional license to accept Australian players.
Online sports betting is the only legal form of internet gambling in the nation, thus online pokies, blackjack, roulette, video poker, Texas Hold'em, etc. will be officially illegal sometime next month.
Like the system for cashless pokies machines in pubs and clubs, the IGA was heavily opposed in the beginning. Officials clearly changed their minds as the drafting of regulatory guidelines came together. Whether cashless poker machines will have the same fate is yet to be seen.
