NSW’s cashless poker machine trial delayed until after July 1

Labor has been accused of breaking an election promise, after the rollout of their signature cashless poker machines policy will be delayed until after July 1.

The NSW government will delay the rollout of one of its key election promises, confirming that a cashless gaming trial on 500 machines will not be begin on July 1 as originally slated.

NSW Gaming Minister David Harris said the government was still finalising the panel that will oversee the trial, however remained committed to gambling reform.

“I have consulted with a range of stakeholders about the panel including harm minimisation groups, industry representatives and members of parliament,” he said.

“We are in the final stages of putting the independent panel and a robust trial together, and we will have more to say about these changes over the next couple of weeks.”

During question time on Thursday, Mr Harris said some crossbenchers and gambling harm minimisation advocates had expressed the importance of “getting the trial right, then adhering to deadlines”.

A cashless gaming trial on 500 machines will be delayed until after July 1. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

“This is a really important issues and we need to get it right because it does have to address those two important issues of minimisation and money laundering.”

Other aspects of the legislation also includes a ban on political donations from pubs and clubs, and a reduction on cash feed-in limits from $5000 to $500.

Venues will also be banned from displaying external signage advertising poker machine room from September 1, with venues liable for fines of up to $11,000 or 100 penalty units. Specific names like “VIP Room/VIP Lounge, Golden Room/Lounge, Players’ Room/Lounge Prosperity Room/Lounge,” will be banned from signs, as well as images of dragons, coins and lightning.

Opposition gaming spokesman Kevin Anderson accused the government of breaking an election promise that would harm those most vulnerable in the community.

“It’s hurting those who need that assistance,” he said. ”The cashless gaming trials provided a pathway forward to protect those who need that protection.”

“Cashless gaming is something the previous government and the industry clubs, pubs and everybody associated with that industry were very keen to get on with.

“When we were in government, (clubs and pubs) were on board, the technology providers were on board.”

Opposition gaming spokesman Kevin Anderson said the government had let vulnerable people down. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Gaye Gerard

Cashless gaming advocate, independent MP Alex Greenwich, said he “welcomed” that the government wasn’t rushing the implementation of the trial.

“I actually welcome the pause the government is putting on this to get the cashless gaming trial right. This is a complicated area of law, and a complicated area of technology,” he said on Thursday.

“The government has been in office around 100 days now. They have been working for most of that on this cashless trial.

“I welcome the government’s approach.”