Cashless Gambling Plan by the NSW Government May Have Regional Exemptions

The New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia, under the Perrottet administration, is exploring a ban on campaign donations from the clubs' sector. It is also planning to carry out a cashless gaming card policy with special exemptions for rural pubs and clubs.

The Reform

According to The Guardian, the government is contemplating a transition phase that excludes non-metropolitan regions from the cashless gaming card as premier Dominic Perrottet pushes for support from the Nationals in his campaign for gambling reform in NSW.

A preliminary trial program focusing on urban poker machines may be a part of the policy, which is still in the works.

The premier has publicly supported a cashless gambling card, but his Nationals colleagues are wary of upsetting the state's strong club lobby by making it obligatory.

Paul Toole, head of the Nationals and the deputy premier, revealed on Thursday, Jan. 19, that the concept of omitting rural regions from the card had been part of the talks about the policy.

If an exception was made, Toole said it would be an aspect of the ongoing talks that they are having about the cashless card.

"I've made it very clear that the road to get there needs to be a sensible one...And we all need to recognize that a large venue in the city is very different to a small venue in the bush."

Toole added that clubs were crucial to the well-being of their respective communities.

Cashless Gaming Program

Since the Labor party published their gambling ideas this week, the pressure has been on Perrottet to divulge the specifics of his cashless gaming program, which he has been advocating for months.

Opposition leader Chris Minns has promised to form an expert panel to monitor a trial of cashless gambling should he be elected in March. This is in contrast to the Labor Party's stance, which opposes its instant implementation.

The Coalition is expected to adopt Labor's policy that forbids accepting donations from clubs. While NSW law currently prohibits funding from gaming corporations, non-profit groups are exempted.

During his farewell statement in parliament last month, former planning minister and opponent of the gambling sector Rob Stokes called it an "outrageous loophole."

Donation Limit

Perrottet claimed he was absolutely in favor of contribution reform when asked on Thursday whether the regulations should be altered.

He emphasized the need to maintain the greatest integrity while accepting political contributions.

Even more consistently, Perrottet has stated his support for a daily limit on poker machine wagers. A cashless system would not operate without a limit, according to him.

The government has reportedly considered setting the restriction at $1,000 per day, in line with limitations imposed for NSW casinos last year, as reported by The Guardian.

Some members of parliament who favor the premier's reforms think that number is too high, but they also think that a larger cap could be essential to winning over Nationals members of parliament, and Liberals are worried about a voter reaction.