Gambling reform needed

GAMBLEAWARE WEEK SPARKS CALLS FOR REAL REFORM

The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to deliver more immediate and meaningful gambling reform as the state marks GambleAware Week.

Shadow Minister for Gaming and Racing Kevin Anderson said while the initiative is an important reminder to continue to work on addressing gambling harm and offer support, it also highlights Labor’s broken promises.

“Chris Minns and his Government has proven time and again that they have no real interest or urgency when it comes to rolling out the gaming reform agenda they promised ahead of the last election,” Mr Anderson said. “The cashless gaming trial was an A-grade flop, and it’s been nine months since the release of the Independent Panel on Gaming Reform’s report, but the Government still has not responded to any of the 30 recommendations. There was also a review of gaming machine shutdown hours that went nowhere, and it’s been seven months since the Government closed consultation on facial recognition technology. While the government conducts review after review, the industry remains in the dark about the future of their industry and the government’s harm minimisation plans.”

Mr Anderson said he had been visiting pubs and clubs across NSW and the message was consistent across the state. “What I'm hearing from these venues is they want the Government to respond to the recommendations and provide certainty on what the roadmap for gaming reform looks like,” Mr Anderson added. “The industry is ready to work with the government, but the government doesn’t want to work with them. I’m hearing time and again that the industry just wants leadership and certainty from government, but instead all they are seeing is reviews. Instead of action, we get another PR exercise in GambleAware week from a government that has lost interest in protecting those vulnerable members of our communities. The community and the industry are demanding action and that’s what we need to see.”