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Pokies: State of addiction
Series

Pokies: State of addiction

Money laundering, addiction and ruined lives: how a powerful lobby group has set up a multibillion-dollar industry.

53 stories
The science of poker machines and how they’re designed to keep you hooked
Interactive

The science of poker machines and how they’re designed to keep you hooked

Ringing bells, flashing lights and the promise of a jackpot. What appears to be an easy game is a sophisticated system built to draw you in again and again.

  • by Angus Thomson and The Visual Stories Team
Expanded gambling reforms key to Teal’s support for major parties

Expanded gambling reforms key to Teal’s support for major parties

Two teal candidates will make poker machine curfews and other reforms a condition of their support, should the NSW election result in a hung parliament.

  • by Tom Rabe
Four charts show pokies are the most destructive form of gambling
Analysis

Four charts show pokies are the most destructive form of gambling

Poker machines account for almost two thirds of gambling losses in NSW, dwarfing other forms of betting such as racing.

  • by Matt Wade
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Australians spend millions playing the pokies on their phone but they’ll never win a cent
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Australians spend millions playing the pokies on their phone but they’ll never win a cent

Unregulated, simulated casino games prove lucrative for developers, but experts fear they are breeding future problem gamblers.

  • by James Lemon
‘May as well do nothing’: Buyback of 2000 pokie machines ‘won’t cut it’

‘May as well do nothing’: Buyback of 2000 pokie machines ‘won’t cut it’

Experts warn gaming policies will be redundant without mothballing more poker machines and the introduction of reduced operating hours.

  • by Lucy Cormack
Perrottet’s poker machine revolution passes snap meeting of cabinet
Exclusive

Perrottet’s poker machine revolution passes snap meeting of cabinet

All poker machines in the state would be cashless within five years under a raft of measures in the Coalition’s new gambling reform package.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Perrottet moves to ban club donations in blow to gaming industry
Exclusive

Perrottet moves to ban club donations in blow to gaming industry

Banning donations from clubs with poker machines would prove a significant blow to the influence of the gaming industry on Macquarie Street.

  • by Tom Rabe and Lucy Cormack
How league clubs grew ‘fat, dumb and happy’ on poker machines

How league clubs grew ‘fat, dumb and happy’ on poker machines

Rugby league wasn’t founded on pokie revenue, but it has flourished off the back of it. Now, the decades-old business model is being challenged by modern economics and a dose of ethics.

  • by Jordan Baker
‘A boil on our industry’: Why this publican banned pokies at his Sydney venues

‘A boil on our industry’: Why this publican banned pokies at his Sydney venues

James Thorpe, who owns three inner Sydney pubs, says the industry’s reliance on gaming revenue is hurting the Sydney food and beverage scene.

  • by Lucy Cormack
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Club ads under fire after poker machine profits revealed

Club ads under fire after poker machine profits revealed

Clubs are being criticised over an advertising blitz that highlights their community role after ClubsNSW conceded some venues are given taxpayer-funded compensation.

  • by Ben Cubby
Gone in 92 days: Gamblers lose $2.1 billion on poker machines
Exclusive

Gone in 92 days: Gamblers lose $2.1 billion on poker machines

Critics labelled the $2.1 billion loss – the highest in NSW history – an obscenity that reinforces the need for reform.

  • by Lucy Cormack and Ben Cubby
Nationals stalwart urges party to back poker machine reforms
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Nationals stalwart urges party to back poker machine reforms

Former deputy prime minister John Anderson has rubbished claims that regional communities will suffer if cashless gaming cards are made mandatory.

  • by Lucy Cormack and Tom Rabe
Banks ready to implement cashless gaming solution as brawl over cards heats up
Exclusive

Banks ready to implement cashless gaming solution as brawl over cards heats up

Banking executive Anna Bligh says the industry would assist in the rollout of cashless gaming, adding it was aware of the harm caused by problem gambling.

  • by Lucy Cormack and Tom Rabe
NSW Labor pledges to cut pokies as gambling reform debate ignites

NSW Labor pledges to cut pokies as gambling reform debate ignites

Opposition Leader Chris Minns has vowed to enforce a mandatory cashless gaming trial on hundreds of machines in pubs and clubs.

  • by Tom Rabe and Lucy Cormack
Club industry claim that punters prefer cash labelled ‘absurd’
Exclusive

Club industry claim that punters prefer cash labelled ‘absurd’

Cashless gaming is untested, but researchers suggest punters will be quick to adapt. But ClubsNSW says the proposal will only punish recreational gamblers.

  • by Anna Patty
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Gambling whistleblower to take on Labor’s Chris Minns at state election
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Gambling whistleblower to take on Labor’s Chris Minns at state election

Anti-pokies independent Troy Stolz is mounting a challenge in the marginal seat of Kogarah, saying the NSW Labor leader “is in the pocket of pubs and clubs”.

  • by Alexandra Smith
‘VIP Lounge’ pokies signs outside pubs may breach City of Sydney rules

‘VIP Lounge’ pokies signs outside pubs may breach City of Sydney rules

The council said flashing signs advertising gaming rooms were installed without consent and may be removed.

  • by Michael Koziol
Elliott will stay out of pokies debate because son works for gaming giant
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Elliott will stay out of pokies debate because son works for gaming giant

The senior NSW frontbencher has told Premier Dominic Perrottet he will excuse himself from cabinet discussions on cashless gaming.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Howard backs Perrottet’s poker machine reforms
Exclusive

Howard backs Perrottet’s poker machine reforms

Dominic Perrottet’s push to reform NSW’s gambling industry has won the high-profile endorsement of former prime minister John Howard, who says the premier’s policy is “courageous and wise”.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Pokies and porkies: five myths about clubs and their ‘political power’
Opinion

Pokies and porkies: five myths about clubs and their ‘political power’

NSW clubs claim to hold huge political power, to be a critical source of state revenue, and to do much to support local communities. These do not stand up to scrutiny.

  • by Betty Con Walker
Cashless gaming card will include spending limits, Perrottet says

Cashless gaming card will include spending limits, Perrottet says

The premier will face difficulties shepherding the reforms through his cabinet, with a senior minister saying the changes will push problem gambling elsewhere.

  • by Alexandra Smith
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‘Systemic non-compliance’: Blitz on pubs reveals gaming law breaches
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‘Systemic non-compliance’: Blitz on pubs reveals gaming law breaches

A blitz of 300 venues by Liquor and Gaming NSW revealed 50 breaches of gaming laws, including putting ATMs inside gaming rooms.

  • by Harriet Alexander
‘A no-brainer’: Unions NSW joins Perrottet’s cashless pokies push
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‘A no-brainer’: Unions NSW joins Perrottet’s cashless pokies push

The peak union body has backed the NSW premier’s cashless gaming card, warning poker machines are “taking billions from workers’ pockets”.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Spike in pubs and clubs seeking approval for poker machines to be played later
Exclusive

Spike in pubs and clubs seeking approval for poker machines to be played later

The revelation from the NSW gaming regulator comes as new data reveals venues with late-night trading hours almost double their pokie profits.

  • by Alexandra Smith
RSL clubs call on members to speak up against cashless gaming
Exclusive

RSL clubs call on members to speak up against cashless gaming

The peak body representing the state’s RSL clubs says the “powers that be” need to be warned against the unintended consequences of a cashless gaming card.

  • by Alexandra Smith
The publicans with the most to lose from gambling reform
Analysis

The publicans with the most to lose from gambling reform

The most lucrative pubs in NSW in terms of net profit per machine are concentrated in the hands of a few key players.

  • by Harriet Alexander
Star Entertainment urges NSW pubs and clubs to back cashless gaming
Exclusive

Star Entertainment urges NSW pubs and clubs to back cashless gaming

Star Entertainment Group has called on NSW pubs and clubs to support NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s plan to transition the industry to cashless gaming.

  • by Amelia McGuire
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Taxing ‘misery’: Pokies and the NSW budget
Analysis

Taxing ‘misery’: Pokies and the NSW budget

The premier might have qualms about it, but gaming machine revenue is on the rise.

  • by Matt Wade
‘An outrageous loophole’: Stokes calls for end to clubs’ political donations

‘An outrageous loophole’: Stokes calls for end to clubs’ political donations

The senior NSW minister says it is unacceptable that registered clubs can donate to political parties despite gambling companies being deemed prohibited donors.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Charities wrongly named in call opposing cashless gaming card
Exclusive

Charities wrongly named in call opposing cashless gaming card

Leading charities, including World Vision and Oxfam, have distanced themselves after being named without their knowledge in a robocall opposing cashless gaming.

  • by Lucy Cormack
Health workers’ union backs cashless gaming as mysterious robo-call questioned
Exclusive

Health workers’ union backs cashless gaming as mysterious robo-call questioned

A second union is now backing NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet on introducing cashless pokies, with an official saying health workers face the real-world impacts of problem gambling.

  • by Lucy Cormack and Tom Rabe
Listen: Mysterious robo-calls deployed by pokie reform opponents in new tactic

Listen: Mysterious robo-calls deployed by pokie reform opponents in new tactic

The phone survey asserts that clubs and pubs “will be made to spend millions” on NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet’s proposed reform.

  • by Lucy Cormack
‘Not going to be threatened’: Perrottet stares down ClubsNSW scare campaign

‘Not going to be threatened’: Perrottet stares down ClubsNSW scare campaign

NSW’s powerful clubs lobby group has launched its first major pre-election offensive since it waged war against the Gillard government a decade ago.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos and Tom Rabe
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Minns and Perrottet should join forces to take on clubs lobby, say Greens
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Minns and Perrottet should join forces to take on clubs lobby, say Greens

The NSW Labor leader and state premier are being urged to work together to counter ClubsNSW’s opposition to gaming reforms.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Perrottet vows to stop people’s life savings being ‘thrown down pokies’

Perrottet vows to stop people’s life savings being ‘thrown down pokies’

The NSW Premier says impending reform of the state’s lucrative gambling industry is non-negotiable regardless of the political ramifications.

  • by Tom Rabe
Minns ‘prepared to deal with the judgment of the voters of NSW’ on pokies stance

Minns ‘prepared to deal with the judgment of the voters of NSW’ on pokies stance

NSW Labor leader Chris Minns says he is prepared to reform the gambling sector but only after the impact on the industry is fully calculated.

  • by Tom Rabe
Perrottet has made the right call on backing a cashless gaming card
Opinion

Perrottet has made the right call on backing a cashless gaming card

The extraordinary scale of poker machine addiction in NSW, particularly in the poorest areas of the state, is a shameful indictment on governments past.

  • by Alexandra Smith
Voters back strong action on pokies, as 60% support cashless gaming card
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Voters back strong action on pokies, as 60% support cashless gaming card

More than 60 per cent of NSW voters want a cashless gaming card rolled out in the state’s pubs and clubs. 

  • by Alexandra Smith
Pokie venues are ‘dealing in proceeds of crime’: crime commissioner
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Pokie venues are ‘dealing in proceeds of crime’: crime commissioner

One suspected drug trafficker told the inquiry that although he was unemployed and played with large sums of cash for hours at a time, venue staff had never questioned him about the source of his money.

  • by Harriet Alexander and Nigel Gladstone
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‘I won’t be liked by everyone’: MP’s line in the sand on pokies
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‘I won’t be liked by everyone’: MP’s line in the sand on pokies

Helen Dalton, whose seat centres on the regional centre of Griffith, says she’s unafraid of political backlash over her stance on poker machines.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos
‘Seriously flawed’ pokies grants scheme should be axed, says welfare group
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‘Seriously flawed’ pokies grants scheme should be axed, says welfare group

The NSW Council of Social Service also wants to end its association with ClubGrants after a review found the scheme was “rife with opportunities for conflicts of interest”.

  • by Alexandra Smith
‘It fundamentally changed the social fabric of NSW’: How clubs got hooked on pokies

‘It fundamentally changed the social fabric of NSW’: How clubs got hooked on pokies

Once they were modest affairs, but now they are Taj Mahals with a dark underbelly.

  • by Harriet Alexander
Perrottet tells clubs and pubs he will not back down on gaming card

Perrottet tells clubs and pubs he will not back down on gaming card

Premier Dominic Perrottet “reiterated his strong view that the status quo can’t continue” to ClubsNSW and the NSW Australian Hotels Association.

  • by Alexandra Smith
NSW Labor leader shies away from mandatory pilot of cashless gaming cards in pubs and clubs

NSW Labor leader shies away from mandatory pilot of cashless gaming cards in pubs and clubs

Chris Minns has indicated a trial would need to be an opt-in scheme, even though it could allow money launderers or problem gamblers to go elsewhere.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos and Alexandra Smith
‘Human misery is a financial lifeblood’ for NSW clubs, Stokes tells parliament
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‘Human misery is a financial lifeblood’ for NSW clubs, Stokes tells parliament

Rob Stokes has delivered a blistering attack on the reliance clubs have on poker machines, infuriating his Nationals colleagues.

  • by Alexandra Smith
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Chris Minns declares Labor’s support for expanding gambling card trial

Chris Minns declares Labor’s support for expanding gambling card trial

The state Labor leader wants to see the results of an expanded trial, saying a previous one in Newcastle was “clearly not enough to get an evidence base to make a change”.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos
Anti-gaming crusader launches stinging attack on NSW Labor

Anti-gaming crusader launches stinging attack on NSW Labor

Labor MPs are warning of “collective post-traumatic stress disorder” after clubs and pubs waged war against Julia Gillard a decade ago.

  • by Harriet Alexander and Alexandra Smith
Perrottet fires warning shot at clubs lobby group over gambling reform

Perrottet fires warning shot at clubs lobby group over gambling reform

The premier said he would not sign any pre-election agreement with ClubsNSW until the NSW Crime Commission report is addressed.

  • by Natassia Chrysanthos and Alexandra Smith
Six charts that show the scale of poker machine use in NSW
Analysis

Six charts that show the scale of poker machine use in NSW

Profits from gaming machines at clubs and pubs in the state hit a record $3.8 billion in the first half of 2022.

  • by Matt Wade and Craig Butt
NSW government abandons clubs reform bill despite crime commission report
Exclusive

NSW government abandons clubs reform bill despite crime commission report

The abandonment of the government’s bill thwarts a push to make cashless gaming cards mandatory before the election.

  • by Alexandra Smith

Original URL: https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/nsw/pokies-state-of-addiction-20221214-p5c69g.html