NSW Labor would introduce mandatory facial recognition for self-exclusion

NSW Labor says it will introduce third party poker machine exclusion and mandatory facial recognition to enhance self-exclusion by the middle of 2024 if elected to government at the end of March.

It is just one of the measures ta Labor government would take, announced on Monday in NSW Labor's Gaming reform plan.

ClubsNSW is currently running a facial recognition self-exclusion trial and Opposition Leader, Chris Minns, says that his government would expand that trial to encompass the whole state. He said it would go further, allowing a third party to enforce the exclusion of problem gamblers, including family members and police via application through the courts or ILGA.

Exclusion could also be applied to money launderers and those believed to be using the proceeds of crime.

Minns also banned all political donations from clubs to the NSW Labor party on Monday.

“Labor is leading the way – from today Labor will not accept donations from clubs with gaming machines. The Liberals and Nationals should make the same commitment. And if we win – it’ll be law.

“We know the harmful effects of problem gaming on families, and I want to make sure we stamp out criminal activity in clubs. Under Labor, we’ll have an evidence-based approach, less pokies in NSW and a range of harm minimisation measures.”

Other measures that NSW Labor would seek to introduce include:

• reducing poker cash input limits by 90 per cent from $5,000 to $500
• A trial of cashless gaming cards at 500 poker machines in both metropolitan and regional NSW
• expanding the mandatory cashless gaming trial –  to be funded by the $100 million penalty paid by Star Casino
• reducing the number of poker machines in the state by increasing the forfeiture rate so that venues would forfeit one poker machine for every two purchased. (Currently it is one poker machine for every three new ones.)
• removing all external gaming related signage and
• The Star Casino fine would also fund programs that reduce harm caused by problem gambling and compensate lost earnings by pubs and clubs due to the mandatory cashless gaming trial
• Introduce “responsible gaming officers” in venues

ClubsNSW and AHA NSW both released a initial responses to NSW Labor's proposal.

A spokesman from ClubsNSW said: “As an industry, we have always worked collaboratively with governments on both sides of politics to help reduce the incidence of problem gambling and we look forward to continuing that work in the lead-up to the March election and beyond.

“We strongly believe clubs are the safest place for people to gamble, and we are committed to further strengthening responsible gambling practices in our venues.”

While AHA NSW’s Association’s Director of Liquor and Policing John Green said: “While we are still considering the implications of this wide-ranging policy, it is clear NSW hotels will be adversely impacted by accelerated gaming machine forfeiture and a significant reduction, from $5,000 to $500, in the cash input limit.”