New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has faced criticism for allegedly “misrepresenting” an independent panel’s advice regarding poker machine reform.
According to The Guardian, he suggested that the government might abandon cashless gambling initiatives altogether, prompting backlash from charity and advocacy groups.
Minns’ comments came after a trial launched in early 2024, which aimed to address issues of gambling harm and money laundering through the state’s nearly 90,000 poker machines.
Despite the trial’s intent, it attracted only 14 active participants, leading to concerns about its effectiveness. The trial’s findings suggested cashless gaming should be mandatory by 2028, yet the government has yet to respond formally.
In his remarks, Minns described the trial as largely ineffective, citing high compliance costs and a lack of significant impact on problem gambling rates. This response triggered reactions from organizations like Wesley Mission, which argued that Minns misrepresented the trial’s outcomes, emphasizing it was designed to test cashless technology, not change gambling behavior.
The NSW Council of Social Service also expressed concern, urging the government to prioritize the panel’s recommendations to mitigate gambling harm. Critics, including Greens MP Cate Faehrmann, labeled Minns’ comments a “cop out,” while Labor MP David Saliba expressed hope for further reforms.
Minns’ office declined to comment on the criticism, but a gaming minister spokesperson acknowledged the complexities of reform in this area.
