The alarming findings of the NSW Crime Commission underscore the critical need for the NSW Government to urgently introduce a cashless gambling card across all its pubs, clubs and casinos the chief advocate for the Alliance for Gambling Reform, Tim Costello, says.

Rev. Costello said the cashless card would require people to prove their identity which would combat the activities of organised criminals who the NSW Crime Commission have warned are using gambling venues to launder enormous amounts of money.

“The cashless card also pre-sets loss limits, that means when you reach your loss limit it stops you from gambling more. This is a significant gambling harm reduction measure,” Rev. Costello said.

“NSW must follow the lead of the Tasmanian Parliament, which has bipartisan support, for the introduction of a mandatory cashless gambling card – the very model that NSW had proposed under the former minister Victor Dominello.”

“The gambling industry is fighting tooth and nail against the introduction of a cashless gambling card, they are against it because it will work. It will limit gambling harm and it will curb the money laundering of multi-millions of dollars.”

Rev. Costello said it would be unconscionable for the NSW Premier and the NSW Opposition leader to again sign a Memorandum of Understanding with NSW Clubs in the wake of such damaging findings by the  NSW Crime Commission.

Rev. Costello also said that the introduction of facial recognition technology (FRT)  - which is now being proposed by Clubs NSW as an answer – was too inaccurate and gave the clubs too much information that could be misused.

“Even Clubs NSW CEO, Josh Landis, criticised FRT as being ‘proven to be ineffective’ in a media interview two years ago. Clubs NSW are only embracing FRT now in order to avoid a cashless gambling card – they are terrified of it, because it will work,” Rev. Costello said.

The Alliance is a national advocacy organisation which works to prevent and minimise the harm from gambling. Our aim is to remove the shame that surrounds gambling, have the problem treated as a public health issue, and achieve the legislative changes needed to protect our communities. We bring together well over 60 organisations who share the objectives of preventing harm from gambling.