Labor to ban donations from clubs, launch major trial of cashless pokies in gambling overhaul if elected

Major gambling reforms would see families able to ban loved ones from using poker machines, a limit of $500 at any one time, and a cashless pokies trial if Labor is elected in NSW.

Clubs with gaming machines would be banned from donating to political parties, the number of gaming machines would be cut across the state and a cashless gaming card trial would be made mandatory under an ambitious pokies reform package Labor Leader Chris Minns will take to the election.

NSW Labor has also vowed to expand the gaming machine self-exclusion program, allowing “third party exclusion”.

That means family members would be able to ban their loved ones from using the pokies, and police would be able to apply to ban people believed to be gambling with the proceeds of crime.

Labor would spend $100 million on harm minimisation measures, paid for by the penalty levelled at Star Casino.

Venues with more than 20 poker machines would also be required to have a “Responsible Gaming Officer”.

Labor leader Chris Minns released an eight-point plan for gambling reform. Picture: NCA Newswire/ Gaye Gerard

The gambling reforms would also ban “VIP Lounge” signage outside pubs and clubs, and cut the amount of money players can feed into poker machines at any one time to just $500.

Chris Minns unveiled the eight-point plan for gambling reform on Monday afternoon, with the Opposition leader saying it struck the balance between tackling problem gambling and money laundering, and protecting 127,000 jobs in pubs and clubs across NSW.

The plan would also see them number of machines in NSW reduced. Picture: Supplied

Mr Minns said from Monday the party wouldn’t accept any donations from clubs with gaming machines – with Labor to make it a law if they win the election.

“I said from the outset this is complicated policy area and we needed an evidenced based approach to make sure any measures we introduced would work and wouldn’t have any unintended consequences,” he said.

“Labor is leading the way – from today Labor will not accept donations from clubs with gaming machines. The Liberals and Nationals should make the same commitment. And if we win – it’ll be law.”

Labor will also launch a mandatory 12-month cashless gaming trial in New South Wales from July 1 which will include at least 500 machines at pubs and clubs across high-use metro areas and the regions.

The party will ban all external signage, such as “VIP Lounge” signs, promoting gaming machines around pubs and clubs.

Labor will work with the industry on a “sensible time frame” for implementing this ban.

“We know the harmful effects of problem gaming on families, and I want to make sure we stamp out criminal activity in clubs,” Mr Minns said.

“Under Labor, we’ll have an evidence-based approach, less pokies in NSW and a range of harm minimisation measures.”

The reforms also include a pledge to cut the amount that can be loaded into a machine to $500 from the current limit of $5000.

Shadow spokeswoman for customer service and digital, Yasmin Catley said the reforms would bring the clubs and pubs industry along with them.

“NSW Labor has done the work, consulted, and come up with a sensible and balanced approach to addressing problem gaming in the state and to remove crooks out of our pubs and clubs,” she said.

“But we need to make sure we bring people and the sector with us.”