ClubsNSW, the representative body for registered pubs and club venues in the state of New South Wales, has released an updated code of practice ahead of expected gambling industry reforms this year.
The code, which is set to come into effect on July 1st 2023, has promised to implement a series of changes to how the industry self regulates. However, the code fails to include a move to a cashless card system which has been proposed by premier Dominic Perrottet. The plan has been supported to some extent by opposition parties but not by ClubsNSW who feels that a move to cashless gambling will negatively impact the livelihoods of its members.
The new code proposes:
- Ban on suspected criminals from gambling venues
- Welfare checks on pokie machine players every three hours
- Measures to ban problem gamblers from venues
- Each venue to have a responsible gambling officer
- Staff trained to identify problem gambling indicators
Problem gambling has been a key issue in state politics over the past few months as New South Wales gears up for a election. Both major parties have promised significant reforms following the election with lawmakers under increasing pressure to address the state’s problem gambling issues. According to recent data, gamblers in the state lose approximately AU$1 million every hour to pokie machines.
An NSW Crime Commission also reported that billions in illicit funds were laundered on a regular basis through the machines.
ClubsNSW chief executive Josh Landis said the code was the most effective way to keep illicit fund out of clubs.
“Clubs have always been the safest places to gamble and they are about to become even safer.”
However, politicians were less than impressed by the move.
Labor Leader Chris Minns, who recently announced his party’s plan to reduce the number of pokie machines in the state, made his feelings clear on the new ClubsNSW policy and the effect it will have on Labor’s plans:
“It’s up to them what they do. We’ve got a policy plank that will be law if we win the election on March the 25th.”
Greens MP Cate Faehrmann was also dismissive of the new code stating that it was
“weak and ineffective; a desperate attempt to appease the public and avoid the necessary regulation”.
Ciaran has been working within the Gambling Industry as a deep analyst since 2019. His deep knowledge and understanding of all the gambling regulations, and processes makes him a true asset, and an always valuable point of view for Gambling Industry News, allowing us to cover every topics from a brand new perspective.