Clubs NSW has launched a campaign, Gaming Reform the Right Way, to counter the NSW Government’s proposed cashless gaming card and, in particular, independent MP Helen Dalton who has joined a coalition of independent state politicians, community groups and religious organisations calling for gambling reform.
Premier Dominic Perrottet responded to the campaign yesterday saying that his government would not be backing down as it trials cashless gaming cards.
He said:
“My members are not going to be threatened, because we are focused on doing what’s right. They can say whatever they want … We are focused on solving a major societal issue in relation to money laundering. In relation to problem gambling, we will work with the industry to achieve [that], but we are not going to be threatened.”
The move is also supported by several MPs, other independents and the Greens.
Last month the NSW Crime Commission released a report recommending mandatory cashless gaming cards would make it more difficult for criminals to launder money at their local pubs and clubs. The cards are also seen as a way to minimise gambling harm and NSW’s first cashless gaming trial commenced at Wests Newcastle in early October.
MP Helen Dalton’s seat of Murray in south-west NSW is home to a number of clubs with poker machines both along the Victorian border and in the regional centre of Griffith. She was voted in as a member of the Shooters Fishers and Farmers party but moved to become an independent in March this year.
Moama Bowling Club CEO Paul Barnes said clubs in the Murray are tired of being ignored by their elected representative, after numerous efforts to meet with the MP and have launched a local campaign: “Helen your attack on clubs is wrong”.
“We have been asking to meet with Helen Dalton for weeks and instead of taking our calls she blindsided us, giving an interview on her anti-club position to the Sydney Morning Herald,” Mr Barnes said.
“Our message to Helen is this — if you want reform, it has to be done in a way that brings the public and industry together along the journey. It helps to speak to experts, including the industry, to understand the likely cost and impacts rather than just announcing what you think should happen.”
Dalton told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this month:
“Clubs are wanting to meet up with me, which is their right. I can understand why they’re concerned,” Dalton said.
“For me, it’s time to recalibrate a bit. I’ve given a lot of support to the clubs, and I know they contribute a lot to the regions, their local town. But I also know that gambling is taking away from our local towns, as well.
“The stats say Australians are the heaviest gamblers in the world, and that’s nothing to be proud of. The cost of gambling goes beyond just losing money.”
Clubs NSW CEO Josh Landis said lots of clubs in the region were joining Moama Bowling Club as third-party political campaigners because Ms Dalton’s approach meant they had no other options.
“As we come out of COVID lockdowns and floods, clubs around NSW are looking to their MPs for support, not uninformed attacks on their right to exist,” Mr Landis said.
“As I talk with clubs, what is abundantly clear to me is they are unhappy about how they have been treated as a political plaything, while the good they do for their communities has been ignored. The Murray River clubs are the first to launch a campaign, but those clubs are not alone in being angry.”
The Gaming Reform the Right Way has rolled out online and in clubs in the Murray, with more clubs expected to join the campaign over the coming weeks. For more information, visit reformtherightway.com.au.
