NSW Clubs fear gambling card will cost jobs, hurt communities

NSW pubs and clubs fear their earnings will slump by up to a third and problem gambling will rise if controversials cashless gambling cards are introduced. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Clubs and pubs across NSW fear their revenue would nosedive by 30 per cent with the introduction of a cashless gaming card, with the industry saying it would cost jobs and hurt communities.

ClubsNSW also fears ClubGRANTS – which pumps funding into community groups such as junior sporting teams – would drop by $25 million to $30 million if the card was forced upon their members.

The industry peak body say the introduction of the card would require retrofitting of “new” poker machines – less than six years old – at a cost estimated to be up to $8,500 per machine, while the body also has concerns that machines over six years old would need to be completely replaced.

A spokeswoman for ClubsNSW said the introduction of cards is “far more complicated than people might realise” and required extensive trials.

“International experience shows that a mandatory cashless card not only causes recreational gaming to plummet, it also drives up rates of problem gambling as punters simply move to unregulated online casinos,” she said.

Premier Dominic Perrottet says pokies must be reformed. Picture: David Swift

“This issue is far more complicated than people might realise and that’s why we have to take our time to ensure we don’t unintentionally do more harm than good.”

The warning comes as Premier Dominic Perrottet met with Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis and Australian Hotels Association NSW President John Whelan to discuss cashless pokies technology.

A spokesman for Mr Perrottet described the Thursday meeting as “constructive”.

“The Premier made his position clear on moving to a destination of cashless gaming and gambling limits,” he said.

“He reiterated his strong view that the status quo can’t continue where criminal activity is occurring in venues or where people are flushing proceeds of crime through poker machines.

“Nor can vulnerable people be allowed to throw their life savings away.”

Young man sitting in a casino and gambling on a slot machine.

The spokesman said that Mr Perrottet acknowledged the “significant contribution” of clubs to communities and across NSW, and said the government would continue to work with industry.

But Mr Perrottet is facing a Coalition civil war over his aim to implement cashless pokies technology, with Nationals MPs staunchly opposed.

Liberals with large clubs in their electorates are also concerned over the impact the campaign will have on them.

Labor Leader Chris Minns is also against making trials of cashless technology mandatory.

Labor Leader Chris Minns is against mandatory cashless card technology. Picture: David Swift

Broken Hill Musicians Club general manager Michael Boland said at first glance the estimated drop in revenue would force his venue to cut staff members by 25 per cent.

“We’d have to lose 25 per cent of our staff overnight. We’d go from 49 staff to mid 20s to high 20s. We put in about 2 and a half million a year in staff wages back into the community. We’re important to the local community.”

The club recently purchased the vintage Silvercity Cinema – an iconic old theatre which likely would have faced the wrecking ball without their intervention – with Mr Boland saying it’d be impossible if they were hobbled by the changes.

Smaller club owners have claimed the card could cripple business.

“On day one, if it was forced upon us there’d be massive amounts of community support which would disappear,” he said.

Mr Boland emphasised the industry wasn’t oblivious to the harm pokies could do, but said the card could force problem gamblers into unregulated environments.

“There seems to be no consideration for regional venues. We’re not blind to some of the harms that a small percentage of people get themselves into … but ultimately if we make it difficult to come into a safe environment like a club, they’re going to go online where there’s no support or protections in place and the outcomes going to be really bad for these people.”