New Gaming Minister dumps compulsory pokies card which sparked government brawl

Plans for a compulsory cashless card to play the pokies bitterly divided the NSW cabinet. Now the proposal is set to be ditched altogether.

A controversial cashless gaming card proposal that ignited a cabinet brawl and threatened to divide the Perrottet government is set to be dumped.

The card policy, devised by former gaming minister Victor Dominello, was intended to fight problem gambling and the scourge of criminals laundering millions of dollars through poker machines in pubs and clubs.

Under such a plan, gamblers would need to register and pre-load money to the card in a similar way to the public transit Opal system.

But Mr Dominello’s opponents on the idea, including cabinet colleague and Transport Minister David Elliott, slammed it as an unnecessary invasion of privacy, especially for casual gamblers.

Mr Elliott said he did not want to see “old ladies who put $20 in the pokies after bingo forced to have one”.

Victor Dominello, the minister formerly responsible for gaming, ignited a cabinet brawl with the controversial proposal. Picture: Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire

The Daily Telegraph can reveal current Gaming Minister Kevin Anderson – who inherited the portfolio in a December reshuffle – is set to ditch the government-mandated cashless card idea in favour of other opt-in digital payments.

Mr Anderson said he was still in favour of using digital payments to reduce problem gambling and clamp down on money laundering.

Kevin Anderson has since taken responsibility for gaming, and has sidelined the cashless card idea. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

One option up for consideration is an opt-in “digital wallet” to be trialled at Wests Newcastle.

Mr Anderson said he would await the result of the Newcastle trial before pursuing any further discussions about reforms. He said any cashless technology for poker machines would need to be “industry-driven” with “government support” and developed through “collaborative consultation”.

“I don’t support the government controlling the card,” Mr Anderson said.

Clubs NSW has also vehemently opposed the cashless card, with claims it would cost the clubs industry $1.8bn in lost revenue.

The Star casino is also planning to seek government approval to trial a cashless option for its pokies this year.

“The Star remains committed to working with the NSW government on moving towards cashless alternatives,” a spokesman said.