ClubsNSW CEO sacked over comments NSW Premier was acting on his "conservative Catholic gut"

ClubsNSW has sacked CEO Josh Landis following his comments that NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has very little understanding of gambling reform and "has acted from his conservative Catholic gut rather than based on evidence". His comments were published following an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.

Landis issued an apology to the Premier publicly and personally this morning but it was not enough for the Board which 'made the decision to end Mr Landis' employment with immediate effect'. Landis has been employed by ClubsNSW for 15 years.

Premier and NSW Labor leader Chris Minns have both said that they will not sign any pre-election gambling policy agreements with ClubsNSW nor come to any agreement until matters outlined in a landmark NSW Crime Commission report are addressed.

ClubsNSW released its new Gaming Code of Practice this week but the details have been overshadowed by Landis's fateful misstep.

ClubsNSW's new gaming code of practice includes staff ensuring that players take a break at least every three hours and that problem gamblers be barred from venues if they seek credit, borrow money or leave children alone while gaming at the machines.

ClubsNSW proposes facial recognition technology as the solution rather than the mandatory cashless card proposed by the current NSW Government.

“No club wants problem gamblers or criminals in their venue. Introducing facial recognition technology in clubs will ensure problem gamblers will be kept out of club gaming rooms and criminals won’t be able to step foot inside a club anywhere in New South Wales," Mr Landis said upon releasing the Code.

The Gaming Code of Practice also outlines lifetime bans for suspected money launderers from all clubs.

All ClubsNSW members have agreed to adopt the code, with penalties for non-compliance including a ban from the Association.