‘Super tax’ talks look at how to pay for cashless gaming

Some of the state’s most profitable clubs could face higher taxes to pay for the roll-out of cashless gaming.

Some of the state’s most profitable clubs could face higher taxes to pay for the roll-out of cashless gaming.

The Sunday Telegraph has learned Treasury officials are working out options to pay for the scheme should it be rolled out.

The Minns government embarked on a trial of cashless gaming after a NSW Crime Commission report revealed billions of dollars of dirty cash was being washed through the poker machines.

However, just 14 of the 243 people who initially signed up were deemed “genuine and active users” of cashless gaming.

Noting the reluctance from patrons to engage with the technology, the independent panel on gaming reform declared the government should implement a mandatory statewide account-based gaming system by 2028, with punters still able to use a limited amount of cash.

The Minns government embarked on a trial of cashless gaming.

The “Road map for gaming reform” report stated that the account-based gaming system should permit the continued use of cash to top up a player account (whether at cashier or at gaming machine) up to a certain amount.

While the government is yet to respond to the recommendations, it is understood it has begun preliminary talks with the industry on any roll-out.

The talks are understood to include how such as scheme could be funded.

While the bigger clubs are able to pay for the technology, this may not be the case for smaller, community clubs.

It has been speculated a new tax could be imposed on the bigger clubs to pay for technology in the smaller clubs.

Talk of a possible “super tax” did the rounds of club industry representatives yesterday.

While the office of Treasurer Daniel Mookhey would not discuss any details, it confirmed talks had occurred.

“Preliminary talks have begun,” a spokesman said.

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Originally published as ‘Super tax’ talks look at how to pay for cashless gaming