Gaming in NSW cashless by 2029

Both the AHA NSW and ClubsNSW say they are concerned about the Coalition’s newly announced gaming policy which includes a transition to cashless gaming machines no later than the end of 2028.

NSW’s Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said “The NSW hotel industry is disappointed the Coalition has announced it will set a commencement date of 31 December 2028 without having any understanding of how cashless gaming will be rolled out.

There are four trials of cashless gaming underway or about to start across NSW.

Green said, "It is disappointing the Coalition has set a fixed commencement date before considering any of the information learnt from these trials.”

“This includes the actual costs involved, the impact on industry, employment, the NSW Budget and whether it will actually help problem gamblers.”

While ClubsNSW – still without a CEO after Josh Landis was sacked last week – said it “is concerned about the significant costs and technical challenges”.

It says that small regional clubs are likely to be heavily impacted by the costs of implementing a system.

On Monday morning, the NSW Premier announced the new gaming policy for the state if the Coalition is returned to leadership after 25 March.

In addition to cashless pokies by the end of 2028, political donations would be banned and players would set their spending limits which would remain fixed for seven days.

Mr Perrottet said that his plan addresses the recommendation from the Crime Commission that a move to cashless gaming will put an “end money laundering in pubs and clubs”.

He added, “We will also ensure people using poker machines receive more support, if they want it, to deal with problem gambling.

“Pubs and clubs are the lifeblood of so many communities across NSW and I want them to thrive, continue to grow and be a place for fun and enjoyment for everyone.”

Small and medium-sized pubs and clubs will receive no-interest loans to support their transition to a cashless gaming system and they will be eligible for a one-off diversification grant of up to $50,000 to support their pursuit of new revenue streams

Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet Michael Coutts-Trotter will oversee the statewide transition. Both the AHA NSW and ClubsNSW say that they will continue to work with whichever government is elected in March.