NSW CASHLESS GAMBLING CARD SHELVED?
The NSW government appears to be looking at other options to a cashless gambling card.
Plans for a cashless gaming card in NSW could be ditched in favour of opt-in digital wallet payments.
Reforms proposed by Customer Service and Digital Minister Victor Dominello in 2020 would have required casual and problem gamblers alike to load funds onto a smart card.
The card had backing from former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin, who was appointed by Mr Dominello to oversee an inquiry into Crown Resorts and later reported cashless cards could help combat money laundering, while stopping short of officially recommending them.
Support within NSW cabinet is mixed and Mr Dominello is no longer in charge of the issue after being replaced by Hospitality and Racing Minister Kevin Anderson in December, whose appointment was welcomed by ClubsNSW at the time.
Mr Dominello was replaced when the new NSW State Premier, Dominic Perrottet, was appointed.
Mr Anderson told The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday he does not support the government controlling a cashless gaming card, or it being mandatory.
He still supported digital payments but on an “opt-in” basis.
The government will consider the findings of an ongoing inquiry by the NSW Crime Commission, which will provide valuable insights into the link between organised crime and money laundering using poker machines, Mr Anderson told AAP.
The fate of the cashless gaming card has not been confirmed.
ClubsNSW CEO Josh Landis has previously supported the inquiry and said the organisation is looking forward to an objective assessment of the issue so clubs can stay one step ahead of organised crime.
A cashless gaming card would be negated by the potential introduction of digital wallets. This new technology would potentially require money to be moved from a bank account into a digital wallet, making money traceable if required and effectively preventing money laundering. An opt-in self-managed credit limit would allow players to identify any overspending also potentially addressing problem gambling issues at a personal level. Trials of digital wallets are currently underway.
Opposition Leader Chris Minns was reluctant to comment in detail but said the issue was a hard to navigate, and he expected the government to be transparent and up-front with any changes to the previously proposed reforms.
