THE STAR FINE FUNDS NSW HARM MIN INITIATIVES
The NSW State Government will utilise the funds received from an AU$100 million fine levied on The Star Sydney a year ago to fund harm minimization initiatives for the next five years. The funding was announced to coincide with the start of GambleAware Week.
The fine was imposed last year in October by the NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) in response to a damning inquiry into the casino’s operations that heard allegations of money laundering, fraud and criminal activity.
The following initiatives will be introduced as a result of the AU$100 million investment:
- AU$6.4 million ($4M) to enhance self-exclusion and introduce third-party exclusions in pubs and clubs
- AU$3.4 million ($2.2M) for an independent panel established to run and evaluate a cashless gaming trial in pubs and clubs
- AU$21.7 million ($13.8M) each year for the next three years to fund other gambling harm minimization initiatives and reforms
- AU$10 million ($6.3M) additional investment in 2023 for the provision of GambleAware counseling and support services
In a statement, the government noted that the funding for gambling harm minimization was the next step in its long-term commitment to tackling money laundering, implementing gaming reform, and reducing the harmful impacts of gambling across communities.
