With the announcement that Victor Dominello will lose the Gambling portfolio in the NSW cabinet reshuffle the Alliance for Gambling Reform is calling out the silencing of one of the most effective advocates for tackling gambling harm we’ve seen in over 25 years.

Tim Costello, the Chief Advocate for the Alliance says:

“Victor Dominello was the first Gambling Minister since 1956 to seriously push for reform of the industry – and now he’s being punished for it.

“The industry is silencing one of it’s biggest critics. It’s clear to us that it’s the poker machine barons and casino tycoons who are calling the shots in NSW Parliament.

"With the recent explosive revelations confirming widespread money laundering across the state it was only Victor Dominello who had the courage to speak up. Not a word from his colleagues, not a mention of it from Labor.

“Put simply, the Liberals, Nationals and Labor have been bought by the industry.

“The truth is the industry are scared of the reforms he proposed. Reforms like the Digital Wallet which would’ve tackled the money laundering crisis head on and significantly reduced the harm which poker machines cause our communities overnight.

“The Gaming Machine Act sets out that a guiding principle of the relevant Minister is to reduce gambling harm. We look forward to continuing this vital work with Minister Anderson.”